Smoke-free areas on beaches begin tomorrow

Image: No smoking on beaches between the flags January 2020

Smoke-free areas between the red and yellow flags and within 50 metres of the flags will be in place on Wollongong’s patrolled beaches from tomorrow (Saturday February 1).

Wollongong City Council voted to make these areas smoke-free in December last year, extending existing smoke-free areas at children’s playgrounds, sporting facilities, leisure centres, public swimming pools and entrances to public buildings.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said: “Smoking tobacco is the single most preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia.

“While tobacco control is primarily the domain of federal and state governments, local government can encourage communities to lead healthy lifestyles by reducing exposure to smoke in public areas.

“Smoke-free areas in places where children and families gather can help to ‘de-normalise’ smoking.

“These smoke-free areas are self-regulated and supported by signage. This approach has been in place since 2010 and we’ve found the community has complied with smoke-free areas without the need for punitive measures. I ask the public to respect everyone’s right to smoke-free clean air.

“When our community members or visitors go to the beach, we want them to enjoy a healthy and smoke-free environment.”