Concerns Campbelltown, Ingleburn main street smoking bans could jeopardise staff safety

Despite a majority of locals supporting a smoking ban in the heart of Campbelltown, concerns have been raised that such heavy-handed action could put council staff at risk. Find out why.

A council report has revealed the feasibility of banning smoking on the main street.

A push to ban cigarettes from Campbelltown’s main street has been discouraged by council, which a report outlining concerns for the safety of staff who could face “aggression” when enforcing such a policy.

However a survey revealed 70 per cent of residents supported the move with North Sydney councillor Jilly Gibson, who was behind the push for her council to be the first in Australia to ban smoking in all public places within its CBD, has urged Campbelltown Council to “take action”.

In May 2022, councillor George Brticevic asked council to present a report on the feasibility of banning smoking and vaping in the public areas of Queen St, Campbelltown and Oxford Rd, Ingleburn.

At the time, he told this publication he had heard many complaints about Queen St with a lot of them centred around smoking as people “don’t like walking through smoke and it can have an affect on people with health issues”.

A survey taken showed that 70 per cent of the 463 participants supported the implementation of a smoking ban on Queen St, while 85 per cent of the 114 surveyed supported the measure for Oxford Rd.

Discarded cigarette butts on Queen Street, Campbelltown.

At tomorrow night’s meeting a report will be tabled that suggests while council should encourage no smoking and/or vaping in the CBDs, it should not seek to implement any sort of ban.

“Smokers in Campbelltown said smoking does not hinder the experience and that other concerns should be a priority for council before banning smoking within the CBD,” the report states.

“Some business owners expressed concern that implementing a trial smoking ban would discourage visitors to Campbelltown, as certain businesses rely on the smoking community to survive.”

The report also raised concerns about council's ability to enforce the ban and cited concerns about the personal risk to council officers as it could lead to confrontations.

“This will put council officers at undue risk of verbal and/or physical assault,” the report states.

“Engaging with individuals in public spaces as a result of their smoking habits could result in legal issues if the interaction is perceived as harassment or an infringement upon a person’s civil or human rights.”

Jilly Gibson. Picture: John Appleyard

North Sydney councillor Jilly Gibson who was behind the push for her council to be the first in Australia to vote to ban smoking in all public places within its CBD has urged Campbelltown council “take action”.

In 2019, North Sydney was the first Australian council to extend the ban on smoking to its CBD and councillor Jilly Gibson, who was mayor at the time, was behind the push.

She said she was raised in an anti-smoking home and was concerned about the impact on school students.

“The less schoolchildren and other members of the community see smoking, the less likely they are to take it up,” Ms Gibson said.

“We need to reject smoking in all its forms … there has been absolutely been a noticeable difference in the CBD.”

Ms Gibson said the concern about enforcement was raised when the ban was implemented in North Sydney, but she said the key was about positive reinforcement and education.

“It’s not about slapping a fine at someone and yelling, it’s about educating them and pointing it out,” she said. “When I walk the streets and I see someone smoking, I would just gently point out that it was a no-smoking area and I never had a problem.

“I would urge [Campbelltown] council to take action and follow the example set by North Sydney.”