Smoking laws set to get tougher in Queensland amid vaping concerns – Brisbane Times

Drinking could be banned in the dedicated smoking areas of pubs, clubs and casinos in an attempt to compel more Queenslanders to quit cigarettes.

Designated outdoor smoking areas (DOSAs) could also be moved further away from other patrons, and young people banned from mingling with adult smokers, under proposals released by Queensland Health for public comment.

Queensland is considering another crackdown on smoking.Credit:AP

DOSAs contribute to second-hand smoke exposure, with Queensland Health data showing that in 2018 almost one million Queenslanders (946,000) spent time in a DOSA, and more than half were non-smokers, the department said in a discussion paper.

Smoke-drift from DOSAs into other areas also occurs with data showing two in three patrons reporting smelling smoke in non-smoking areas.

The presence of a DOSA is reported to make it more difficult for people who have recently quit to remain non-smokers. Queensland Health data found the presence of a DOSA makes smokers more likely to smoke (64 per cent), and less confident to resist smoking (51 per cent).

The discussion paper lists a combination of no drinks, smoke-free buffers and no minors in DOSAs as the departments recommended approach.

Pubs and clubs could be forced to restrict smoking even further.Credit:AAP

This option does impose costs on licensees, and to achieve compliance it is assumed that all venues will be required to make adjustments, the department said.

The costs of these adjustments will vary according to the venue design and available space and will range between no cost for relocation of furniture to more substantial costs for structural changes or installation of a buffer screen.

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Smoking laws set to get tougher in Queensland amid vaping concerns - Brisbane Times