Wollongong City Council is yet to issue a single infringement for people caught flouting the smoking ban in the Crown Street Mall.
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The ban, ordered by the council and applied to the whole mall from November 1, has been running for more than a month, yet the council confirmed to the Mercury late last week no fines had been issued for breaches.
A spokesman said the council had opted to use an "education program" to ensure people refrained from lighting up in the mall.
Since the ban's introduction, council security staff had been talking with people who had been smoking, asking them to move to a more appropriate place, he said.
The council had also asked police to remind people of the ban and ask smokers to move.
The spokesman was unable to provide the Mercury with a specific date when infringements would be enforced, stating only that the council would "continue to talk with people and provide them with educational material".
"This is an educational process and we will review this situation as per the council recommendation," he said.
"We are also talking and working with retailers on this issue."
The smokefree zone includes Crown Street between Keira and Kembla streets, Globe Lane, Globe Way and Church Street from Globe Lane to Court Lane.
Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Connor earlier told the Mercury there had been overwhelming community support for the ban during the council's consultation period, with more than 85 per cent of people surveyed in support of a smokefree zone.
"Any steps that council can make towards enhancing our city and the experience that people have when visiting our Crown Street Mall will make it a more enjoyable place," he said.
The smoking ban is in addition to the NSW government ban introduced in January, which outlawed lighting up within four metres of building entrances, within 10 metres of playgrounds and at all public swimming pools, sports grounds, public transport stops and stations.
From July 2015, it will also be an offence to smoke in outdoor dining areas.
The council is also considering a ban in the arts precinct between Burelli and Crown streets.
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