Ban on outside smoking at venues serving outdoor food starts from July 1

SMOKERS may think it's a bit of a drag, but pub, restaurant and cafe patrons who prefer fresh air with their meals, it will be heavenly from Friday.

LIGHTENING UP: Lauren Luce and James Pritchard welcome the smoke ban where there’s outdoor dining. Picture: TOM HUNTLEY

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SMOKERS may think it's a bit of a drag, but pub, restaurant and cafe patrons who prefer fresh air with their meals can dine out on new tobacco bans, in force from Friday.

And nine years after smoking was banned inside pubs, clubs and the Adelaide Casino, the hospitality industry isn’t expecting any major drawbacks.

From Friday, patrons will not be able to light up at any time food is offered or available in outdoor dining areas.

The ban applies to all smoking products — cigarettes, cigars and pipes, including shisha, hookah and water pipes.

Australian Hotels Association general manager Ian Horne said the move has been accepted well by the industry.

“There’s been a high level of co-operation,” he said

“There’s a range of flexi­bilities to reflect different ­businesses and different circumstances.

“My sense is that we won’t need ‘smoking police’ as peoplewill generally work it out themselves. To this point at least,‘no smoking’ in licensed venues has been handled very well. It hasn’t been heavy-handed and we’ve seen good outcomes.”

But smaller cafes and businesses such as coffee shops, where smokers can congregate, will have to make a choice.

“There will be difficulties for some businesses with outdoor furniture and they’ll have to make a decision on whether they serve food out there,” Mr Horne said.

“Others that are interesting are outdoor cafes and particularly parklets around the city because there’s a lot of people out there smoking.”

Sarah Legierski, venue manager of the recently refurbished Gepps Cross Hotel, says the move could draw more people outside to eat.

“I don’t think it will affect the business at all,” she said.

“It’s more of a positive than a negative. There are a lot of people out there who don’t really like smoking around them when they are trying to eat. It takes a lot of pressure away for people who like being outdoors.

“There will be areas outside that are designated for smokers. It’s just away from the food.”

For 20 year-olds James Pritchard of Golden Grove and Lauren Luce of Salisbury East, the new laws are welcome.

“It’s a positive thing. It’s nice not to get a face full of smoke when you’re eating,” Ms Luce said.

“I think the new laws will be good for everyone,” Mr Pritchard said.