Ban makes a difference
SIX months into smoke-free outdoor dining in NSW and NSW Health has reported public support and levels of compliance are high.
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Since the start of the ban on July 6 2015, NSW Health Inspectors have inspected over 1880 hospitality businesses with outdoor dining areas and have found 98 per cent compliance across NSW.
High levels of compliance with the ban has meant fewer people were exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.
There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
Commercial outdoor dining areas were made smoke-free to prevent patrons who are dining from exposure to cigarette smoke.
An effective NSW Health education campaign leading up to 6 July 2015 resulted in high community awareness of the ban on smoking in commercial outdoor dining areas. Our figures indicate that more than eight out of ten people, both smokers and non-smokers, support the ban.
Experience shows that once people are aware of a smoking ban, they generally do the right thing. We have seen many venues and patrons embrace smoke-free dining.
NSW Health Inspectors have found smoking breaches in a small number of venues. These venues were provided with education and have been followed up to confirm they are now compliant.
Any venues who continue not to comply may be subject to a $5,500 penalty. Individuals who do not comply may receive a $300 on the spot fine.
For further information regarding NSW Health smoke-free legislation, including smoke-free outdoor dining, please call the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412 or visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/smokefree.
Dr Jo Mitchell
Executive director
NSW Centre for Population Health
Proposed reforms welcomed
NATIONAL vegetable grower body AUSVEG has welcomed the Australian Labor Party’s plans to tackle worker exploitation, and is calling on them to work with the federal government to implement a register of firms to clean up the labour hire sector.
The ALP’s proposed reforms introduce specific penalties for deliberately exploiting temporary overseas workers.
Temporary overseas workers play a vital role in the Australian horticulture industry during peak seasonal periods, and ensuring their safety and wellbeing is crucial if they are going to continue to contribute to the success of our industry.
AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing more than 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers. However, it’s important to target the source of this unconscionable behaviour – rogue labour hire firms who take advantage of workers and then vanish without a trace.
To ensure accountability in the labour hire sector, AUSVEG has proposed a scheme where labour hire firms would need to seek approval from the Departments of Employment and Immigration, the Australian Taxation Office, and the workplace safety body in their state before gaining accreditation as an approved firm and being placed on a public register.
We’re pleased to see Labor’s willingness to protect workers and ensure that rogue operators don’t further damage Australia’s reputation, and we’re asking Labor to commit to further action. There has already been a reduction of over 34,000 working holiday maker visa holders coming to Australia in the past two years.
While introducing new penalties and strengthening measures may act as a deterrent, effective reform is needed.
Andrew White
Deputy CEO
AUSVEG