Beach smoking bans set to spread in area

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG and Queenscliff could join other bayside councils in banning smoking on beaches.
Both told the Independent they were working with Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) on its proposed state-wide framework for smoke-free outdoor spaces
City of Greater Geelong health and local laws manager Steve Sodomaco said council was also working with other Victorian councils on a potential beach smoking ban.
Borough of Queenscliff governance and communications officer Rob Byrne said councillors would soon discuss the MAV proposal.
“While we haven’t adopted a position as yet, it appears to be almost a logical progression given the moves in other councils and in outdoor policies,” he said.
“We’d like to see a consistent approach and that’s why we tend to work with the MAV on these types of issues.”
Hobsons Bay Council recently became the third Victorian municipality to ban beachgoers from lighting up. The ban will outlaw smoking on every bayside beach from Altona to Elwood.
Smokers who indulged on the beaches face fines of $200.
City of Port Phillip, covering beaches from Port Melbourne to Elwood, introduced similar laws last summer.
Surf Coast Shire was Victoria’s first municipality to implement a beach smoking ban in 2008 after the Independent reported a Surfrider Foundation call for the by-law, which earned the support of Quit Victoria.
The organisation said several other Victorian councils also had forms of outdoor smoking bans.
However, Victoria lagged behind New South Wales where 79 municipalities have introduced outdoor smoke-free policies.
Quit Victoria said public bans were critical in “de-normalising’’ smoking.
MAV has sought input from councils on proposals to ban smoking in children’s playgrounds, sport facilities, parks, reserves and alfresco dining areas.