Swimmers told to ‘butt-out’ on patrolled beaches under new regulations

A SMOKING ban will come into force on northern Illawarra’s patrolled beaches from tomorrow.

Smoke-free areas between the red and yellow flags and within 50m of the flags will be in place on Wollongong’s patrolled beaches from tomorrow (Saturday February 1).

Wollongong City Council voted to make these areas smoke-free in December last year, extending existing smoke-free areas at children’s playgrounds, sporting facilities, leisure centres, public swimming pools and entrances to public buildings.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbury said the smoke-free areas will be “self-regulated and supported by signage”.

“This approach has been in place since 2010 and we’ve found the community has complied with smoke-free areas without the need for punitive measures,” he said.

“I ask the public to respect everyone’s right to smoke-free clean air.”

Cr Bradbery said smoking tobacco is the single most preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia.

“While tobacco control is primarily the domain of federal and state governments, local government can encourage communities to lead healthy lifestyles by reducing exposure to smoke in public areas,” he said.

“Smoke-free areas in places where children and families gather can help to ‘de-normalise’ smoking. When our community members or visitors go to the beach, we want them to enjoy a healthy and smoke-free environment.”

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