Maroondah Council to ban smoking at two more shopping precincts

Shoppers will soon be able to breathe easy at two major public squares in the eastern suburbs, with Maroondah Council announcing a smoking ban.

More than 90 per cent of respondents to a recent community consultation supported Ringwood Town Square becoming smoke-free.

Shoppers will soon be able to breathe easy at a major public square in the eastern suburbs, with Maroondah Council announcing a smoking ban.

From January 1, a new law will ban smoking at Ringwood Town Square, and also Croydon Town Square, which opens in March.

Eastland’s cafes and eateries are already smoke-free, and anyone caught smoking in outdoor dining areas faces a $792.85 fine.

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Two council surveys held in the past year found an overwhelming majority supported a ban.

Acting director of development and amenity Kirsten Jenkins said 34 submissions were received for the proposed ban with all but one supporting it.

Cr Paul Macdonald, who said he had lost family and friends from smoking, said the ban sent a strong health promotion message.

“Anything we can do to educate the community to help them make a decision to quit smoking has to be a good thing and I commend those who put it together,” he said.

Cr Mike Symon said the ban was a great result but wanted to see a smoking ban introduced in other large council-owned public spaces.

Mayor Rob Steane said the new law would provide “a breath of fresh air for local residents and visitors to our city”.

Ringwood’s Tammy Blanchett, a smoker, said she supported the change as long as designated space was provided for smokers next to the square.

She said smokers would probably go to nearby parks once the ban kicked in.

Rowville shopper Tara Fowler welcomed the decision.

“I walk through here all the time and I don’t want to breathe in second-hand smoke,” she said.

Quit Victoria director Sarah White commended the council for “taking action to protect the health of its community”.

“Smoke-free policies in public areas help protect people against the negative health effects of second-hand smoke, while at the same time minimising smoking cues for people trying to quit and former smokers,” she said.

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