In the coming months, anyone attending an under-18 sporting event will notice a change in the air.
From 1 September 2016, smoking will be banned within 10 metres of viewing and playing areas during an organised under-18 sporting event in Queensland. This includes training or practice sessions and any breaks or intervals.
This new legislation offers further protection to the Queensland public—and in particular, children and young adults—from exposure to harmful environmental tobacco smoke.
Children’s health is particularly affected by environmental tobacco smoke, with exposure increasing the risk of ear infections, respiratory illness and asthma.
Banning smoking in areas used by children and young people also helps to make smoking less visible and discourages young people from taking up smoking.
Fact sheets are available for sporting organisations, parents and visitors to provide further detailed information about the new law and how it applies to organised under-age sporting events.
Sporting organisations can help spread the smoke-free message by displaying no-smoking signage and other promotional resources that is available through your regional sport and recreation office.
Electronic versions of no-smoking signs, factsheets and resources about the changes to the tobacco laws can be downloaded and printed from: https://publications.qld.gov.au
For more information about the new tobacco laws visit: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/atod/tobacco-laws/default.asp
Smoking restrictions in National Parks
From 1 February 2017, smoking restrictions will apply to Queensland’s national parks. Smoking restrictions in parks are one of several Queensland Health initiatives to reduce smoking rates in Queensland, limit people’s exposure to second-hand smoke and make more outdoor places smoke-free.
Every year 3700 smokers in Queensland die from smoking-related diseases. Even passive smoking – breathing in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes – can adversely affect your health causing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
For the benefit of all park visitors, from 1 February 2017, smoking is prohibited within 10 metres of most visitor facilities in national parks. This includes any picnic table, barbecue, shelter shed, toilet, in-use campsite, information centre, jetty, landing stage (such as pontoons) or boat ramp.
It doesn’t mean you cannot smoke or use e-cigarettes when visiting parks – it means you cannot smoke or vape close to facilities that visitors use, where people commonly gather. These restrictions will protect the health and well-being of park visitors.
