Traders, customers fight back against proposed Monash Council smoking policy

OAKLEIGH and Glen Waverley traders and consumers claimed a win after a potential smoking ban was roundly rejected.

PROPOSED changes to policies affecting smoking laws have gone up in smoke with traders scoring a win over Monash Council.

Plans to ban smoking from outdoor trading areas, which would have particularly affected Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall, were stubbed out with the majority of community feedback condemning the proposal.

OUTDOOR AREAS BEING RESERVED FOR SMOKERS FOLLOWING LAW CHANGE

SMOKERS IN EATON MALL BEING FORCED TO BUTT OUT

Almost 95 per cent of feedback from almost 1000 community responses sent to the council were against the proposed changes.

While the council said the footpath trading revisions were to improve alfresco dining, it would have meant outdoor drinking areas — where people could smoke — would have been closed because of changes to the Tobacco Act 1987.

Tougher smoking rules were brought in at the end of July last year, leaving many regular visitors to Eaton Mall fuming.

Glen Waverley Traders Association president Christo Christophidis said the results showed the community was strongly against the latest proposal.

“We’re still abiding by the state law — we don’t want council to have a law unto themselves,” he said.

“Business is tough at the moment. If the state allows it, why shouldn’t Monash allow it?”

OUTDOOR SMOKING AREAS TO BE SCRAPPED AT CAFES, RESTAURANTS

SMOKING BAN SET TO CAUSE EATON MALL REVOLT

Nikos Quality Cakes owner Yianni Poupouzas said the results of the survey spoke for themselves.

“We felt it gave an equal opportunity to present their view,” he said.

“The co-operation with Monash Council was good throughout the process.”

Mr Poupouzas said ultimately everyone was on the same page, wanting to promote the area as vibrant to attract visitors and welcome family environments.

“We believe we’ve got that down here,” he said.

“And we are all working really hard to improve it in different ways.

“It is in all of our interest to achieve that.”

Monash councillor Shane McCluskey said the council “noted” the outcome of the consultation and the policy remains unchanged.