It’s time to ditch this bad habit (or at least stop doing it in public).
North Sydney Council have voted in favour of a smoking ban across the entire CBD, which means we’re one step closer to smoke-free Sydney.
Public smoking bans will be enforced throughout Strathfield, Manly, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Hurstville, Pitt Street Mall and Martin Place.
WATCH: Hawaii raises the smoking age to 100
Jilly Gibson, the Mayor of North Sydney, told Nine News, “It’s time for non-smokers to claim back the streets.”
According to the Daily Mail, 80 per cent of residents and businesses in the area voted in favour of the proposal, citing second-hand smoke as a major issue for public health.
The Heart Foundation Director of Prevention, Julie Anne Mitchell, told the publication that breathing in second-hand smoke increases risk by up to 30 per cent.
The mayor is hopeful that the change will ensure North Sydney is a cleaner and healthier place for its residents.
“We’ll have no butts littering the pavement, and people will be able to walk down the street free of cigarette smoke,” said Gibson.
However, not everyone is on board, with 18 per cent of voters believing that public smoking shouldn’t be banned.
They stated that “smokers need somewhere to go” and remained firmly against the government regulating behaviour.
Only a small percentage of residents weren’t concerned either way.
The first stage of the proposal will be awareness and promotion as signs are installed.
After that, the mayor says they will prioritise self-enforcement before considering fines.
“We don’t want to have to fine people, we want them to come onboard themselves,” says Gibson.
The change is estimated to cost upwards of $20,000.
The council will plan where the border will sit, as well as the signage that will be placed around the CBD.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
