They have already been told to butt out in public indoor spaces, now smokers may have to add Wollongong's outdoor recreation areas to a growing list of no-go zones.Wollongong City Council is seeking to make public swimming pools, sportsgrounds and playgrounds smoke-free zonesIt will present a draft proposal of the plan at an ordinary council meeting tomorrow.The proposal follows a 12-month voluntary trial of smoke-free signs at 156 playgrounds across the city.
Will a ban on smoking in public outdoor spaces make smokers quit?Throughout NSW, 58 councils - including Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven, have already implemented similar policies and Cancer Council Australia says it would be thrilled to see Wollongong follow suit."We're very supportive of local government introducing smoke-free policies."We actually have a kit that helps councils introduce these kinds of policies," a Cancer Council spokesperson said."Second-hand smoke has been linked to a number of health impacts, including sudden infant death syndrome, lung cancer and asthma, so it's very important to minimise exposure as much as possible."Although council rangers will have the authority to issue fines to those caught lighting up in the no-smoking areas, the draft policy indicates a financial threat probably will not be required.The council anticipates strong community support for the policy will make enforcement unnecessary.Under the plan, smokers will have to butt out at outdoor sporting facilities and within 10m of all children's playgrounds, council playing fields and sporting grounds.Additional signs will be needed at 70 more locations, at a cost of $20,000.If council administrators adopt the policy tomorrow night, the proposal will go on public exhibition for four weeks.Council swimming pools and leisure centres have been smoke-free for several years.
