Smoking ban in Victoria sees large numbers quit

According to Cancer Council Victoria, since bars and clubs in Victoria were made smoke free a large number of people have quit or reduced smoking.

The smoking ban came into force in bars and restaurants in Victoria a year ago and a Cancer Council survey of 1,250 people revealed that four out of ten recent quitters admitted that smoke free venues had helped them make the decision to quit.

Another third said they had reduced the amount they smoked following the introduction of the legislation and 'Quit Victoria' says the results are a sound endorsement of smoke free environments.

'Quit Victoria' says the survey data shows the positive consequences of smoking bans which include not only a reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke for hospitality workers and patrons, but also the potential to reduce smoking rates and consumption - with no negative impact on patronage to hospitality venues.

The research also found more 18-29 year olds are smoking less following the bans than they used to compared with 30 to 49 year olds and those 50 years and older (45% compared with 32% and 24% respectively) and of those who had quit in the past 12 months, 40% report smoking bans had helped them quit and 33% of current smokers reported a decrease in consumption following the ban.

Victoria is currently developing a new 5-year strategy to further reduce smoking rates by banning tobacco displays in shops and extending smoke free areas to include cars when children are present, smoking on primary and secondary school grounds and smoking on hospital grounds and healthcare facilities.