Smoke-Free Policy in Outdoor Areas
Smoke-free policy in outdoor areas A 2011 survey of NSW councils Smoke-free policy in outdoor areas | A 2011 survey of NSW councils 2 Contents Introduction 1 Introduction Smoking is the largest single preventable cause of death 2 Methodology in Australia, killing more than 15,000 Australians a 2 Results year. There is substantial evidence linking exposure to 12 Resource kit second-hand smoke with a range of serious and life 13 Barriers to introducing threatening health impacts including heart disease, or expanding policy cancer, asthma and other respiratory problems. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an 14 Alfresco dining increased risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome 15 Conclusion (SIDS), acute respiratory infections and ear problems. 15 Appendix While most of the evidence relates to Community interest in the provision indoor exposure, there is emerging of smoke-free outdoor areas such evidence on how smoking affects as playgrounds, sporting fields and air quality in outdoor locations such alfresco dining areas is growing. as alfresco cafes and playgrounds. To assist local councils in A recent study which measured developing their own smoke-free cigarette smoke levels in a variety outdoor areas policy, the Heart of outdoor locations showed that a Foundation, The Cancer Council person sitting near a smoker in an NSW, the Australian Medical outdoor area could be exposed to Association NSW, the Local levels of cigarette smoke similar to Government and Shires Associations the exposure of someone sitting in of NSW and Action on Smoking an indoor pub or club. Therefore, the and Health Australia have second-hand smoke in outdoor areas developed a resource kit including where people tend to congregate, a CD-ROM of signage templates including alfresco dining areas, for Local Government outlining in sports stadiums and concert venues, clear detail the steps required to can present a real health risk to present before Council a motion to the public and staff.
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