Hornsby Council considers policy to fine smokers in public places

Smokers caught lighting up in public places across Sydney’s north west could be hit with a $110 on-the-spot fine, if a new policy is approved.

A campaign to transform Beecroft Shopping Centre into a smoke-free zone has gained momentum with Hornsby Council considering the plan. Picture: Tim Pascoe

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Smokers caught lighting up in public places across Sydney’s north west could soon be hit with a $110 on-the-spot fine if a new policy is approved by Hornsby councillors next month.

The proposal to get tough on smokers comes after Hornsby councillor Nathan Tilbury said there was an “excessive” number of people in public areas that display ‘No Smoking’ signs lighting up.

Smoker outside the restaurants in Hornsby Mall. Picture: Troy Snook

Hornsby Council staff have developed a revised Smoke-Free Environment Policy, which would have a person fined for smoking “within 10 metres of all children’s playground equipment, on all council playing fields, sporting grounds and sporting facilities, at all events run or sponsored by council, in pedestrian malls and plazas and within ten metres of council-owned or managed buildings”.

The policy would also result in fines being issued to smokers caught lighting up in bushland parks and reserves, at covered bus stops and taxi ranks and even within council car parks, if approved.

Smokers in Hornsby Mall. It's illegal to smoke in the mall but people do anyway and council is fed up. Picture: Troy Snook

A council spokesman said: “In implementing council’s Smoke-Free Environment Policy, a program of community education and awareness, specifically targeting residents and day visitors, is to be undertaken.

“Enforcement of the policy will be supported by persuasion, self-policing and punitive enforcement.”

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said it was a regular occurrence to find smokers “puffing away in public spaces where smoking is not permitted”.

Smokers at Beecroft Shopping Centre.

“We need to have a policy in place that actually addresses the issue head-on,” Cr Ruddock said. “We have all witnessed smoking in public spaces, in areas that are frequented by thousands of people, including children.”

Cr Tilbury said smokers will have an “educational grace period” before being hit with on-the-spot fines if the policy is approved on May 8.

“Smokers need to be aware of the locations where they can and can’t smoke,” he said.

“We want to work with Westfield specifically to determine an area where smokers can utilise.

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“I asked council staff to review smoking in the mall and they witnessed an average of eight smokers lighting up every day.”

The new policy comes as Hornsby councillor Emma Heyde is attempting to make Beecroft Place Shopping Centre completely smoke-free.

Cr Heyde described the appearance of smokers outside the centre as “a blight on our much-loved town centre”, and called for community support for the initiative.

Smokers will have a 12-month grace period before being hit with on-the-spot fines if the policy, which councillors will decide on at their May 8 meeting, is approved.