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ADELAIDE - Adelaide would be the first smoke free city in the world, under proposed legislation to be debated in state parliament next year.
The Tobacco Products Regulation (A Smoke-Free Adelaide) Amendment Bill 2007 would ban smoking in Adelaide for at least one day of the year, with maximum penalties of $200 to go to the Cancer Council.
The bill is being put forward by opposition police spokesman David Ridgway and will be introduced to parliament on February 13, 2008.
"This legislation would not be about punishment but an opportunity for Adelaide citizens to experience a day without smoking," he said in a statement.
"Community involvement is the cornerstone of this Bill and in turn, I hope that the whole city will reap the benefits."
Mr Ridgway said the bill proposed the Friday before World No Tobacco Day be smoke free, and also possibly the day of the annual Credit Union Christmas Pageant.
He said he believed it should be introduced on both days, but it was up to the public to debate the issue and decide which day and how many.
The bill was released today for public comment.
"I believe many smokers in our community want to improve their health and this trial may just be motivation to quit smoking," Mr Ridgway said.
"We can all look forward to experiencing a cleaner and healthier city."
- AAP
