Australia's sunshine state becomes smoke free state

The Australian Medical Association President, Dr Bill Glasson, today congratulated the Queensland Government on being the first Australian State to introduce and implement comprehensive smoking bans in all public places.

Dr Glasson said the new tobacco laws, which will be rolled out from 1 January next year, are among the toughest in Australia.

“The changes are not before time and I encourage the rest of the country to follow suit,” Dr Glasson said.

“Damage caused by Environmental Tobacco Smoke is well documented. The evidence for total indoor smoke bans in all public buildings is overwhelming.

“Second-hand tobacco smoke causes cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness and much more. It does immediate and potentially fatal long-term health harm to workers and patrons of smoky venues.

“Despite the intense lobbying by the Hotel Industry, Gaming Industry and the Tobacco Industry the evidence is clear that ventilation-based strategies don’t protect adequately against these dangers.

“Premier Beattie is to be congratulated for holding firm and following through with his commitment to the health of all Queenslanders.

“Despite the good intention of the legislation, an even earlier implementation date would have been welcome. However the AMA acknowledges that Queensland has set the earliest implementation date of all Australian State and Territory Governments,” Dr Glasson said.

The AMA has a long history of advocacy on tobacco control. Each year, at the AMA’s national conference, the AMA, in conjunction with the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH), awards the National Tobacco Scorecard that ranks the legislative and public health efforts of State and Territory Governments to stop Australians smoking.

Dr Glasson said the other States and Territories would have a hard time coming up with something to beat Queensland as the jurisdiction most committed to maintaining and improving the health of its citizens in relation to tobacco control.

Under the new laws announced today by Premier Beattie, from 1 January 2005 smoking will be banned:

• on all patrolled beaches;
• within 10 metres of children’s playgrounds;
• while standing within four metres of all building entrances; and
• at all sporting venues administered by the Major Sports Facility Authority including Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (formerly QEII Sports Centre and ANZ Stadium), the Sleeman Centre, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville.

In addition from 1 July 2006 smoking will be banned:

• in 100 per cent of indoor areas of liquor licensed premises; and
• in all outdoor areas, where food or beverages are served.