Cancer Council Queensland has welcomed Queensland Parliament’s historic approval of the Smoke-free Places Amendment Bill 2015.
The Bill will see new bans on smoking at public transport waiting points, pedestrian malls, aged care facilities, specified national parks and at or near children’s organised sporting events and skate parks.
Members of Parliament provided bipartisan support of the Bill, which passed late on Tuesday.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Professor Jeff Dunn AO commended Members of Parliament and the Palaszczuk Government for taking action on tobacco control.
“This is a historic moment for Queensland and for public health globally.
“The new laws will safeguard Queenslanders from second-hand smoke, encourage more smokers to quit and prevent more young people from taking up this lethal habit,” Prof Dunn said.
“Around one Queenslander a day tragically dies from second-hand smoke exposure – having never smoked a cigarette in their life.
“We congratulate the Health Minister Cameron Dick and the Palaszczuk Government on the passage of this Bill.
“Children will be protected from second-hand smoke, with a ban on smoking set to be introduced in and around kindergartens, after school-hours care and early childhood services.
“This legislation raises the global benchmark in tobacco control and sets a new standard for public health and wellbeing – and we thank the Government for its action.
“Support for smoke free spaces is higher than ever – communities across the state will celebrate this achievement safe in the knowledge they will now have legal safeguards against the very real dangers of passive smoking.
“We are pleased to see these laws will take effect on September 1 this year,” he said.
Around 3700 Queenslanders die from a tobacco-related disease each year. About 370 of these deaths are caused by second-hand smoke exposure.
Smokers can obtain free information, practical assistance and support from Quitline, 13 QUIT (13 7848).
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at www.cancerqld.org.au or Cancer Council’s 13 11 20.
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Executive Manager,
Media and Spokesperson,
Cancer Council Queensland
Phone: (07) 3634 5372
Mobile: 0409 001 171