Doctors call for smoking ban in outdoor areas

Lucie van den Berg
May 09, 2013
Herald Sun

ALMOST 200 cancer doctors are demanding the State Government outlaw smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Lung Cancer Service chairman Professor David Ball said a ban would protect Victorians from secondhand smoke and help quitters avoid relapses.

“Every day I have to tell some Victorians and their families the bad news,” Prof Ball said.”With 80-90 per cent of lung cancers caused by smoking, I witness a lot of suffering that could have been avoided.”

A total of 195 cancer specialists and clinicians of Cancer Council Victoria’s Clinical Network have written to the State Government urging it to add outdoor dining and drinking areas to its list of smoke-free areas.

The State Government is considering a ban on smoking at playgrounds, public pools, sea baths, skate parks and children’s sporting events.

Quit Victoria executive director Fiona Sharkie said seven out of 10 Victorians want smoke-free spaces outdoors.