Logan City Council will unveil the new-look Beenleigh Town Square today – a completely smoke free zone protecting locals from the potentially lethal effects of smoking and second-hand smoke.
The move brings the square in line with Ipswich Mall and Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall which are entirely smoke free for the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift applauded Logan City Council on the initiative.
“A smoke free Beenleigh Town Square is a breath of fresh air for local residents and visitors to the city,” Ms Clift said.
“The smoke free square will encourage existing smokers to quit, protect locals from the dangers of second-hand smoke and prevent young people from taking up the lethal habit.
“Exposure to passive smoke raises a person’s risk of heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory conditions, and can cause asthma, SIDS and allergic respiratory diseases in children.
“At least one Queenslander will die every day from second-hand smoking, without ever having smoked a cigarette in their life.
“We hope other Councils will follow the example set by Logan City Council – smoke free spaces save lives, and prevent the next generation from taking up smoking.”
One in five male deaths and one in 10 female deaths each year in Queensland are due to smoking-related illness and disease, and 46 per cent of these are people under the age of 75.
Cancer Council Queensland has urged the Government to provide bipartisan support for a Private Member’s Bill for more smoke free spaces, introduced into Parliament in July.
The Bill calls for a ban on cigarettes sold at ‘pop-up’ shops and smoking bans within five metres of Queensland Government buildings, at public transport waiting points and pedestrian malls, and at swimming pools and skate parks.
“Community support for smoke free spaces is higher than ever, with majority non-smokers and fewer than 15 per cent of the adult population smoking daily,” Ms Clift said.
“We call on all Members of Parliament to protect the health of all Queenslanders by adopting the recommendations in this Bill.”
Smokers are urged to call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848) for help with quitting.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via 13 11 20 or www.cancerqld.org.au.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Katie Clift, Executive Manager, Media and Spokesperson, Cancer Council Queensland
Ph: (07) 3634 5372 or 0409 001 171