Smoking zones idea for bars

By JOHN ARMSTRONG

Consumer Affairs Minister Phillida Bunkle has floated the possibility of separate areas in pubs and bars for smokers and non-smokers.

Her compromise suggestion was made in a speech last night to the anti-smoking organisation Ash, in which she also admitted that the Government might have to ditch plans to sue tobacco companies to recoup smoking-related healthcare costs.

Her hopes of making bars 50 per cent smoke-free follow the scuttling of Government plans to ban smoking in bars completely.

Smoking areas would be enclosed with a separate ventilation system, she said.

"The 50 per cent stand represents a fair compromise. It would not be considered too militant against smokers, but still go some way to protecting the health of bar workers.

"I would like to see this extended to casinos. But that, I guess, is another battle."

Details of the Government's enhanced smoke-free environments legislation are still being hammered out after Ms Bunkle's Alliance colleagues vetoed Health Minister Annette King's intention to make pubs and bars smoke-free.

Ms Bunkle supported Annette King's position.

Ms Bunkle told Ash that she had asked her officials to investigate possible action against tobacco companies under the Fair Trading Act.

"I now believe that such action may not be possible under this act."

The final decision rests with the Attorney-General, Margaret Wilson.

In April, Ms Bunkle said she believed action was possible under the act because tobacco companies had deceived the public on an exceptional scale.