Plan for blanket ban on smoking in Ringwood Town Square

SMOKING could be banned entirely in Ringwood Town Square - home to Eastland’s alfresco dining precinct - under strict rules being considered by the council.

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SMOKING could be banned entirely in Ringwood Town Square — home to Eastland’s alfresco dining precinct — under strict rules being considered by Maroondah Council.

The council is asking locals whether the restrictions should be expanded less than three months after new laws banned smoking in outdoor dining areas.

What do you think of the idea? Tell us below

Eastland’s new food precinct. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Pacos Tacos, one of the new eateries at Eastland.

The council has launched an online survey and public consultation sessions and is gauging the views of restaurant owners in the town square.

The square is the outdoor precinct on Maroondah Highway opposite Ringwood train station and the bus interchange, which also gives access to Realm, the suburb’s library and home to BizHub.

When asked why the council was considering the ban, Mayor Tony Dib pointed to the recent law change.

Johnny di Francesco’s 400 Gradi East, a popular drawcard on Eastland’s alfresco precinct.

Businesses in the town square are being asked their opinion on a potential smoking ban. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Maroondah mayor Tony Dib said the council will consider the ban after it gets the community’s views. Picture: Steve Tanner

Cr Dib said it was important to get the community’s views.

Once feedback was collated the council would be able to consider the future of smoking in the town square.

The council would have the power to issue fines to people caught lighting up in smoke-free zones if a ban was implemented.

The proposal has attracted the support of Quit Victoria director Sarah White.

“Quit Victoria along with other heath groups ... is strongly supportive of smoke-free areas,” she said.

“Second-hand smoke increases long-term health risks and can trigger breathing problems, such as asthma attacks.

“Smoke-free areas also discourage young people from taking up smoking and help people who want to quit succeed in their attempts.”

Dozens of comments on Maroondah Council’s Facebook page indicated strong support for a ban, with some saying they refused to eat at local cafes and restaurants because of nearby smokers.

But others suggested a full-scale ban was excessive and smokers should still be provided a designated area.

“I think you should make a small smoking area at the front of town square and then make the rest of it smoke-free,” Jo Fullerton wrote.

“No one should be subjected to second-hand smoke unless they choose to.”

A public consultation session was held in the town square last Saturday (October 21), with another session at the Maroondah Festival next month.

The online survey is open until midnight on November 12 and can be found at maroondah.vic.gov.au