Published on Thursday, 26 September 2019 at 1:57:06 PM
Smokers are being encouraged to butt out around City of Albany owned and managed public facilities to protect the health of families and children and support an active and healthy community.
It is part of a new Smoke-Free Outdoors Policy adopted by the City of Albany and developed in partnership with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern with funding from Healthway.
Highly commended by the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA, the policy to create smoke-free public places and facilities aims to protect non-smokers from exposure to harmful second-hand smoke and support those trying to quit.
The policy is already in play at Centennial Park Sporting Precinct with signs and designated smoking areas put in place to promote the smoke-free policy, while a ‘Game On, Butt Out’ educational campaign will begin soon.
City of Albany Executive Director Community Services Susan Kay said making outdoor areas smoke-free is a significant next step towards protecting the health of people in Albany.
“This policy ensures that the City goes the extra mile in creating healthier environments and ultimately leads to the reduction and impact of second-hand smoke,” she said.
“Second-hand smoke can cause significant harmful effects to our health and what this policy aims to do is protect the community, particularly young children, from exposure to this when they are outdoors enjoying our public spaces.”
Albany Junior Soccer Association President Grace Knowlson said the clubs were very supportive of the policy and positive messages the ‘Game On, Butt Out’ campaign would share.
“Sports and smoking don’t mix,” she said. “Families and children account for a large portion of our members and the wider sporting community, so this policy will support the health and safety of players, volunteers and spectators.”
Smoking remains banned in enclosed areas of sporting venues under the enclosed public places provision in the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006.
To find out more about the City of Albany Smoke-Free Outdoors Policy and how it applies to Centennial Park Sporting Precinct, visit https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/services/environmental-health/smoke-free.aspx
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