A blanket ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas in Melbourne is unlikely, despite the ongoing anti-smoking lobby from health organisations and participating councils. So far 32 councils have introduced partial restrictions, with the Moonee Valley and City of Monash councils among the first to impose a ban on smoking at children’s playgrounds and on council-owned reserves.
Currently, roads are exempt from a smoking ban in most councils and as many walkways, such as Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall, is considered a road, many alfresco dining areas are therefore not included in the ban. Several councillors, including Crs Narelle Sharpe, Jan Chantry and Paul Guiliano, have spoken out against supporting more council-imposed restrictions.
Moonee Valley mayor John Sipek, a smoker, said a ban on alfresco dining could escalate into smoking bans in other areas such as footpaths. Doutta Galla Community Health in Moonee Ponds recently announced it would extend its ban to include outdoor areas, outreach services and client visits to protect the wellbeing of its staff and clients.
Quit Victoria and the Heart Foundation has called on the Victorian Government to increase smoking bans. Heart Foundation chief executive Kathy Bell said the organisation’s aim was to “de-normalise” smoking.
