Cancer Council backs Brisbane’s call to make Queen St Mall smoke free

July 15, 2010

Cancer Council Queensland has today welcomed the overwhelming weight of public support to make Queen Street Mall smoke free, following the release of Brisbane City Council survey findings that a majority of residents support a total ban of smoking in Queen Street Mall and Albert Street.

Brisbane City Council has given residents 30 days to have their say on the matter and will then decide on the outcome.

Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Council Queensland, Professor Jeff Dunn, said the survey findings confirmed the strength of community sentiment for creating smoke free cities and towns.

“Making Queen Street Mall smoke free will provide a breath of fresh air for shoppers and retail traders.

“It will also dramatically improve the heart of Brisbane city and encourage recreation and tourism.

“Health concerns and passive smoking were the number one reasons people gave for supporting a ban on smoking in the mall, demonstrating a high level of concern about the harmful and potentially deadly impacts of smoking.

“The decision to move forward with implementing a total or partial ban will help to reduce the prevalence of smoking in Brisbane and prevent tobacco related deaths in the future.

“This is great news for Brisbane, great news for Queen Street Mall, and great news for many young people who will soon be deterred from smoking in social groups that meet on the mall.”

Queensland Health figures estimate that 32,000 Queensland school children aged 12 to 17 smoke weekly.

“Even small amounts of exposure to tobacco smoke can be harmful, particularly for children and adolescents.

“Today’s announcement by the Lord Mayor sends an important signal to young people that smoking is not a habit worth taking up,” Prof Dunn said.

“It is encouraging that the survey findings showed younger residents (18‐24 years) were strong supporters of a smoking ban.”

Prof Dunn said a total ban on smoking in the mall would be a strong deterrent to smokers both young and old, encouraging them to quit.

“Those who are motivated by today’s news to quit smoking will certainly have our full support through the Quit program with Queensland Health.

“We congratulate Brisbane City Council for delivering on its commitment to this issue and encourage all residents to have their say in support of the proposed bans.”

Prof Dunn said he hoped Brisbane City Council’s leadership would pave the way for the introduction of uniform statewide laws by the Queensland Government.

“Recent Federal and Queensland Government progress on tobacco control has been significant, but we need to take tougher action on tobacco control to save lives.

“With the full cooperation of the Queensland Government and local councils, we can create a smoke free Queensland and end the tragic toll of nearly 3,500 tobacco related deaths each year.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:
Anne Savage, Director – Public Affairs, Cancer Council Queensland
Ph 0417 709 869 or 3634 5241