Anti-smoking crackdown shows results

CANBERRA - New figures show the rate at which Aussies light up has fallen to an all-time low as the nation continues to introduce some of the world's toughest anti-smoking laws.

Across the continent cigarettes are banned in a growing list of pubs, office buildings, shopping malls, cinemas and even at some beaches.

Backed by the five-year national strategy launched by the Federal Government last November, the butt-out campaign is showing results.

The latest Australian Health and Welfare national drug strategy household survey this week showed that the number of people lighting up daily fell by 200,000 over the past three years.

"A key to our success has been the mix of education programmes and campaigns, pricing measures, labelling tobacco products with health warnings and banning most forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship," said Parliamentary Health Secretary Christopher Pyne.

But in Queensland, where 3400 people still die every year from smoking or smoking-related diseases, even tougher laws are on their way.

In January the state launched phase one of its three-stage programme, banning smoking on all patrolled beaches, within 10m of children's playground equipment, and while standing within 4m of the entrances to all non-residential buildings.

The beach ban has especially caught the nation's attention.

Local councils in main cities have banned smoking on some of the nation's leading beaches - including Bondi and Manly in Sydney - but no other government has imposed a state-wide prohibition.

And Queensland has included man-made beaches - popular with families and children at resort centres - in its ban.

Nor does it stop there.

Smoking is now banned at such sporting venues as the Gabba, Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and Entertainment Centre, and in big regional centres such as Townsville's Dairy Farmers' Stadium.

Retail tobacco advertising is limited to a single display per outlet, of no more than 1 square metre for retailers and 3 sq m for tobacconists.

Tough penalties apply to retailers who break the rules, especially those caught selling cigarettes to children.

Offending traders face arrest by police and the loss of their licences, even for a first offence.

On January 1 smoking was banned in one-third of Queensland's pubs, clubs, outdoor restaurant areas, and cafes, eating areas, and areas where food or drink is served.

In September the ban will extend to two-thirds of the state's pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes, and will cover them all by July next year.

The only relaxation will be granted to pubs and clubs seeking an outdoor area for smokers.

Smokers who break the law face on-the-spot fines of up to A$150 ($161), issued by plainclothes health and environment officers.