How an Australian state plans to ban smoking and vaping
- Plans to reduce smoking and vaping to the lowest levels in Australia
- Smoking and vaping will be banned in more outdoor areas
An Australian state wants to reduce smoking and vaping to the lowest levels in the country with new laws banning the products near public places, including shopping malls, schools, sports grounds and the beach.
South Australian laws will significantly increase the number of outdoor areas where smoking and vaping are banned, strengthening existing smoke-free laws, including outdoor dining areas, playgrounds and public transport shelters.
The state government said the changes will result in the most comprehensive smoke-free laws in Australia.
“Smoking is our biggest preventable killer and cause of disease and we need to do more to stop its devastating effects,” Health Secretary Chris Picton said Thursday.
“We make no apologies for trying to introduce tougher bans and penalties, especially where children are affected.
An Australian state wants to reduce smoking and vaping to the country’s lowest levels. The photo shows a smoking woman
“Smoking has a tragic cost to human lives and also places a burden on our health system in providing care to those affected.”
As part of the changes, the government will also seek to ban cigarette vending machines in licensed locations and double fines for sales to minors to a maximum of $40,000 for businesses and $10,000 for individuals.
The proposed outdoor smoking and vaping ban includes areas within 10 meters of nurseries and schools and within 5 meters of shopping malls, other public buildings, hospitals and aged care centers.
They will also be banned from outdoor sporting events and on beaches, within 50 meters of patrol flags.
Mr Picton said the government was particularly concerned about the recent increase in vaping among young people, with the number of people aged 15 to 29 using e-cigarettes on a regular basis rising from 1.1 per cent in 2017 to 7.8 per cent last year.
South Australian laws will significantly increase the number of outdoor areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited. The photo shows a vaping woman
“The significant increase in vaping among young people is a trend we must stop,” he said.
“In addition to introducing stricter restrictions, we also need to educate and encourage people to realize the harm they are doing to themselves and others by smoking and vaping.”
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia state director Marina Bowshall said the strategy to reduce smoking and vaping would ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of all South Australians.
“A key strength of the strategy is the engagement with community groups, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions that will ensure an integrated approach in efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the community,” she said.
