World No Tobacco Day 2012
With World No Tobacco Day being commemorated on Thursday 31 May, Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding residents of their opportunity to comment on a proposal to prohibit smoking at Council managed outdoor dining areas.
World No Tobacco Day began in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death with close to six million people estimated dying of the product each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke.
Council acknowledges the harmful effects of smoking, particularly the effects of second-hand smoke on public health, local amenity and the natural environment and has subsequently adopted a Smoke Free Outdoor Areas Policy. This policy sees smoking prohibited in a number of public areas throughout the Shire including playgrounds, sporting facilities, bus shelters and around Council buildings. Signage identifying these areas will soon be made public.
The proposed Smoke Free Outdoor Areas Policy would see smoking further prohibited at alfresco dining and outdoor dining areas on Council managed lands.
Feedback from residents and businesses is sought on the acceptance of such a proposal, method of implementation and regulation.
To view the proposal, which details potentials impacts and opportunities, visit Council’s Civic Centre located on Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday or visit Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au via the What’s on Exhibition link.
The deadline for return of written submissions is 4pm Wednesday 6 June 2012. Please include the reference number 5450/28.1 on all submissions.
For further information contact Council’s Environment and Sustainability Branch on phone 4868 0888.
All written feedback will be reported back to Council with councillors subsequently deciding upon the preferred option.
For further information regarding World No Tobacco Day visit www.who.int/tobacco/en/