Council Watch: Local governments are about to crack down on smoking

COUNCIL WATCH

Victorian councils are set to crack down on smoking.

The Municipal Association of Victoria – the roof body of local government – stages a major meeting of representatives on Friday, with smoking high on the agenda.

One council has requested a review into the recent ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas.

Instead of stopping people from smoking in outdoor areas, many cafes have gotten around the ban by stopping people from eating there so they can smoke.

Former mayor on Monash Council Geoff Lake said it’s an example of the “law of unintended consequences”.

Joining Tom Elliott in the 3AW studio, Cr Lake said the new rules need a review.

“In a mall or strip shopping centre, passive smoke from one place affects people right through the strip. It’s not fair,” Cr Lake said.

Click PLAY above for the full interview

“Where food is served, on public property, where people sit outside, having a coffee, having a chat, you shouldn’t have passive smoke,” he said.

“I think smoking laws should go further in these areas.”

Some other items on the MAV agenda include:

• A crackdown on sugary drinks
• Recognition of local government in the Constitution
• A safe injecting room in Richmond
• A review of minimum road width standards