Smoking banned at The Parade in Norwood

SMOKING will be banned at one of Adelaide’s most popular suburban shopping strips — but there’s concern it will force people away to other areas.

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THE Parade will become Adelaide’s first smoke-free suburban shopping strip, despite some concern it will force people away from Norwood.

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council last week voted to ban smoking on The Parade, between Portrush Rd and Osmond Tce, after more than 70 per cent of people who responded to public consultation supported the move.

The council does not intend to fine smokers, but will install no-smoking signs and cigarette butt bins as it aims to educate the community.

However, not everyone is happy, with some of the 104 respondents to the survey labelling it an “infringement of personal rights” and a “load of s**t”.

A 66-signature petition opposing the ban was also presented to the council as part of the consultation process and three of 12 business owners who responded disagreed with outlawing smoking.

Bath Hotel venue manager Michael Coffey was disappointed with the decision.

“Being a pub, we are obviously in favour of allowing smoking as it is a very common thing,” Mr Coffey said.

Smoking on the The Parade at Norwood will be banned. Picture: AAP / Roy Vandervegt

“We would prefer if people were allowed the choice, but that has been taken out of our hands. People will have to get use to it quite quickly.”

Councillor Christel Mex told the meeting it was important to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke.

“All we ask is that smoking in public places is not forced upon the public at large,” Ms Mex said.

“It is the responsible thing to do to look after the health of all residents and visitors to The Parade.”

Only councillors Connie Granozio and Luciana Marcuccitti opposed the decision.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Marcuccitti said it was pointless to ban smoking while cigarettes continued to be manufactured.

Cancer Council SA chief executive Lincoln Size said the decision would set a precedent for other councils to follow.

“Smoke-free laws aim to denormalise smoking within our community, particularly around children, and make it socially unacceptable to smoke in high-traffic pedestrian areas,” Mr Size said.

If the ban is successful, the council will look at extending it to Fullarton Rd in coming years.

The State Government still needs to sign off on the smoking ban.