Town Hall seeks public input on making Bourke St smoke free zone

The city’s shopping mecca could become smoke free, as Melbourne City council has another crack at rolling out a ban in one of the city’s busiest streets. But will it work?

The Bourke St Mall could become a smoke-free zone under a proposal from the city council.

Town Hall is seeking public input into making the shopping mecca between Elizabeth St and Russell Place a no-go zone for smokers.

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A total of 11 zones in central Melbourne are already smoke-free.

The proposed crackdown on the Bourke St mall, which became a pedestrianised zone in 1978, would be one of the largest and busiest sections to have a smoking ban enforced.

If the proposal goes ahead it would be one of the largest and busiest sections to have a smoking ban enforced. Picture: Alex Coppel.

CBD laneways Fulham Place and Collins Way were added to the city’s clear-air list last September.

The council’s smoke-free program began a six-month trial in the shopping and dining lane of

The Causeway in 2013.

Other smoke-free zones now include QV, Goldsbrough Lane, Howey Place, Equitable Place, Block Place and popular running tracks The Tan and Princes Park.

Council data showed that 75 per cent of businesses and 82 per cent of the public had supported areas being clear of smokers.

Map of the proposed smoke-free area in the CBD. Image: City of Melbourne

Residents and workers have until May 21 to provide feedback to the council which will then decide whether to put a final proposal to councillors for a formal vote.

Melbourne councillor Beverley Pinder said the council was committed to protecting the community from passive smoking.

“Each year approximately 4000 Victorians die due to smoking-related illness. Additionally, the costs for direct healthcare and lost productivity across the state equate to over two billion dollars,” Cr Pinder said.

“We have already created 11 smoke-free areas across the municipality to help to ensure we reduce the harms associated with second-hand smoke.”

The council would speak to any affected businesses during the consultation period, she said.

The council canvassed opinion in 2011 for a smoke-free Bourke St mall but did not proceed with the idea.

Smoking was banned in outdoor dining areas across Victoria in August 2017.

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@IanRoyall