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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 3 Hansard (23 October) . . Page.. 4109 ..


Smoking-sports grounds

(Question No 955)

Mr Smyth

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice:

In relation to smoking around sports grounds:

The Liverpool and Hawkesbury Councils have recently announced that fines will be issued to smokers who smoke within a new 10 metre exclusion zone around sporting grounds, ovals and parks, to protect children from passive smoking. Has the ACT Government given any consideration to this proposal. If so what discussions have been held, if not, is the Government likely to consider it.

Mr Corbell

: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

In relation to passive smoking in outdoor areas, important progress has been made with the support of the community and the cooperation of premises managers. For example, a non-smoking policy for the seating areas of Canberra Stadium was introduced by stadium management.

I am advised that a campaign to be introduced in the near future by Canberra Urban Parks and Places will encourage smokers to dispose of smoking material in a responsible manner. This will be important both in terms of reducing litter and reducing fire risks.

In undertaking evidence-based policy development, the Government will continue to monitor and respond to information about the health effects of passive smoking, including effects in outdoor areas.

Smoking-sports grounds

(Question No 956)

Mr Smyth

asked the Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming, upon notice, on 24 September 2003:

In relation to smoking around sportsgrounds: The Liverpool and Hawkesbury Councils have recently announced that fines will be issued to smokers who smoke with a new 10 metre exclusion zone around sporting grounds, ovals and parks, to protect children from passive smoking. Has the ACT Government given any consideration to this proposal? If so what discussions have been held, if not, is the Government likely to consider it?

Mr Quinlan

: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

The Government has not considered the implementation of similar policy in the ACT. In undertaking evidence-based policy development, the Government will continue to monitor and respond to information about the health effects of passive smoking, including effects in outdoor areas. I understand that ACT Health will continue to monitor the initiatives to restrict smoking in certain outdoor areas that have been considered or enacted by Launceston, Liverpool, Hawkesbury and Wingecarribee Councils.


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