Smoke Clearing from Perth City Malls


One month since the Perth City Malls and Forrest Place became Smoke Free, City of Perth enforcement officers are reporting a largely positive response to the ban from the general public, including the majority of smokers.

City of Perth rangers and Smoke Free ambassadors funded by Healthway have been patrolling the high traffic pedestrian areas since 1 December, informing City residents and visitors of the new Smoke Free zones.

Acting Lord Mayor Rob Butler said there has been a significant decline in smoking in these areas, seeing most smokers comply with the amended local law, however a minority of defiant smokers is continuing to test the limits.

“Having a six month period of education about the ban before issuing official warnings and fines was important to the Council. We wanted to give people time to adjust and give them the benefit of the doubt, but make no mistake we’re only going to get tougher on this,” said Cr Butler.

“Some smokers our rangers talk to genuinely aren’t aware of the ban and butt out once they’re made aware. Many are choosing not to smoke rather than leave these areas, which is the ideal.

“Sadly, the most resistance is coming from City workers upon whose doorstep this ban applies. They know they won’t be fined until June 1 and don’t seem bothered about the health and wellbeing of anyone else using the Malls, let alone their own health.

“The whole point of the ban is to make the City more welcoming so more people come and experience all the City has to offer so it doesn’t make good business sense not to comply.

“I would encourage employers to stress this to their employees during this transitional period. If workers need help quitting, there are organizations out there at the ready. If longer breaks are needed to walk to places smoking isn’t prohibited, have that conversation. Smokers will either walk further or decide that smoking isn’t worth it, both of which have health benefits.” Cr Butler said.

The City of Perth was able to become the first Western Australian council to prohibit smoking in major pedestrian areas thanks to a partnership with Healthway.

Healthway’s Dr Caplingua said: “Currently, nine in ten people in WA are non-smokers and it’s important to show children and young people that being a non-smoker is our community standard”.

With the festive season coming to a close, Christmas decorations in Hay St Mall will soon be replaced with more Smoke Free zone signage, adding to the existing pavement stickers and signage in Murray St Mall and Forrest Place erected late November.

Smoke Free ambassadors will be on patrol again next week, informing people of the ban. From 1 June, rangers will issue $100 fines to those who continue to smoke following an official warning.

Cr Butler added, “The public told us they wanted these areas smoke free and we’re committed to working hard to achieve that. Our rangers will be vigilant but they’ve also got a lot of ground to cover. If you see any smoking hot spots or regular offenders let us know.”

For more information visit City of Perth