Another nail in the coffin of the smoking industry looks set to be hammered into the Tamworth civic environment tonight when the regional council considers the latest recommendation designed to have us ban more of the butts and smokes in public.
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While the surveys might in fact be a one-sided reflection of the reactionary anti-smoking sector, there would seem to be an overwhelming opinion that more areas outdoors should be smoke-free.
At least there are plenty, including the Heart Foundation, who have taken much heart from community attitudes lately to some online and on-the-street surveys to gauge just what we want when it comes to smoking outdoors.
Increasingly, it seems, we don’t want it wafting near us.
So there is a new found optimism that at least around our neck of the woods, residents of Tamworth, Barraba, Manilla, Nundle and Kootingal will soon be enjoying more smoke-free public places that no longer pose a risk to their heart health.
The council will consider a report from its staff that it put up a draft proposal that asks the community to decide whether it wants smoking outlawed in the main CBD block of Tamworth, and the others smaller centres, but also in parks, on sports fields and recreational areas, on footpaths outside schools, childcare centre and health facilities, within 10 metres of council buildings and all council and community-run events in public spaces.
The recommendation is on the back of some startling and seriously-sick adult smoking statistics for our region.
The proposal pushers have the figures to show that 21 per cent of adults smoke daily in the New England area, compared to the national average of 16 per cent across Australia.
About 29,000 adults smoke every day around the wider region. Alarmingly, almost a quarter, or 23 per cent of women, reported smoking while pregnant.
But it is the second-hand smoke brigade that is particularly on fire over outdoor puffers.
According to the Heart Foundation health problems and disease, including heart disease, caused by second-hand smoke exposure is an entirely preventable public health problem.
And while it might be a lesser argument, the anti-smoking health addicts argue the benefits of
smoke-free zones will actually go beyond reducing community exposure to second hand smoke – it will help support smokers who have recently quit and trying to quit, contribute to a cleaner and safer environment and send a clear message to children that smoking is not normal.