Illegal smokers still lighting up in Rundle Mall

SMOKERS are still lighting up in Rundle Mall in the busy holiday period, despite a ban being introduced more than three years ago.

22.12.2015. Smoker photographed at corner of Rundle Mall and Charles Street. Smoking is banned in Rundle Mall. Photo Sam Wundke.

SMOKERS are still lighting up in Rundle Mall in the busy holiday period, despite a ban being introduced more than three years ago.

The Advertiser spotted several smokers throughout the Mall, at one of the busiest times of year when tens of thousands of shoppers are expected to descend on the precinct to attend the Boxing Day sales.

But Adelaide City Council figures show just 35 people have been fined for smoking since the ban was introduced in August, 2012.

Councillor Phillip Martin said there needed to be a crackdown on smoking in the Mall.

“I regularly see people around the Rundle Mall precinct smoking in a completely carefree manner,” he said.

“Second-hand smoke is hazardous to people’s health and we need to reduce the number of people smoking in and around the Mall.

One of the many smokers in Rundle Mall on Monday. Picture: Sam Wundke.

“Even when I was in the Mall (yesterday) I could see people smoking around Regent Arcade.”

A council spokeswoman said officers “regularly patrol” the area to stop people from smoking.

She said the council was also planning to improve signage to prevent smokers from lighting up.

“(The) council’s intent is to continue to educate the public to make sure everyone is fully aware of the ban and to make a positive difference to people’s health, rather than issuing formal expiations (fines),” the spokeswoman said.

“We need to strike the right balance between making people aware of the ban and keeping the Mall welcoming and friendly.”

The fine for smoking in the Mall is $62.50.

No-smoking signs have been installed at each end of the Mall, and in the James Place and Gawler Place laneways.

Mr Martin said he had spoken to the council’s administration and was assured there would be stricter enforcement once more signage was installed next year.

“These signs will be on screens installed in the Mall and they will have the smoking ban message displayed across them among other shopping deals and other items,” he said.

“Once that has occurred I have been assured the enforcement of the ban will be much tougher.

“And I will be making sure that happens. Otherwise, what is the point of having a ban if it never gets enforced properly?”

The Tasmanian Government recently announced it was considering raising the legal age to buy cigarettes to 25, up from 18.

A State Government spokesman said there were no plans to pursue a policy similar to Tasmania on restricting cigarette sales.

“The state government is continually working to discourage smoking through funding a number of anti-smoking educational programs,” he said.

“At this stage there are no plans to change the legal age for purchase of tobacco products.”