This petition aims to show there is public support for extending current restrictions on smoking to cover all public spaces including streets in the City of Melbourne (similar to that on alcohol consumption). This is not suggesting a total ban: Smoking in or on private property, at licenced venues, or in designated smoking areas etc (like for consumption of alcohol) would not be impacted.

Issues:

Danger from second hand smoke:

We know that there is no safe level of second hand smoke. Yet whenever we go out in the city we constantly have to breath in the second hand smoke from people who smoke congregating on footpaths, waiting at cross points, or those walking ahead or next to us. Most of us accept that we live in the city and therefore accept the risks of air pollution that come with this. However we choose not to smoke yet can’t go out anywhere without breathing in other people’s smoke. We also know the impact on children is even greater. Not seeing smokers everywhere could also prevent normalisation of this to children. A further concern is how many unregulated/black market vapes that contain dangerous chemicals are out there. We can’t know who is using these so can't avoid them.

Litter and environmental concerns

A second issue is the large amount of litter that people who smoke generate. If you go out on almost any street the main litter you see is related to smoking: Predominantly cigarette butts, but also discarded boxes, lighters, and vapes. We all want our streets to be clean and look nice, however far more important is the environmental hazard discarded butts pose, as well as costs associated with clean up. There are many environmental risks associated with smoking and the tobacco industry. But we also know that discarded cigarette butts by themselves are a huge problem as well, with filters made of non-biodegradable plastic, toxic chemicals that can leach into the surrounding environment, and being a possible hazard to wildlife (or young children/infants) if they accidently consume them. It is unfair that (in addition to footing the bill for smoking-related healthcare costs) so many non-smoker’s tax dollars are going to clean up cigarette butts and other smoking debris because people are not smoking responsibly.

Other potential benefits:

Lower smoking levels: It might be much easier for people to quit or cut down if they are unable to smoke wherever they want, and if they don’t constantly see/smell other people smoking. Some people may make the decision to quit because of the inconvenience.

Less crime: There have been news reports about arson attacks on stores by  gangs related to the illegal tobacco industry, as well as a rising black-market vape industry. Restrictions at point of sale may just drive up illegal supply as demand does not decrease. If people are unable to smoke as much, or choose not to do so due to inconvenience, then demand could decrease and potentially these illegal trades might be less profitable or worthwhile.

Educate the community on the dangers of smoking: A ban signals that this behaviour is dangerous to others. Some smokers may not be aware of how dangerous smoking is to them, and they may not realise the impact it has on others. A ban in public spaces to protect the community and cut down on litter would send a message about this.

Japan is a good example of how people can still smoke without needing to smoke on the streets. Despite having a much greater number of smokers people very rarely smoke in the streets as it is considered rude due to the impact on others. People will go to designated smoking areas (usually foliage-surrounded enclosures set away from main thoroughfares or the infamous smokers’ tanks around railway stations and airports), and they generally take their cigarette butts with them to dispose of at home or in a suitable bin. So people not smoking in the streets is entirely doable.

I hope that this has highlighted some of the concerns around smoking and benefits for restricting smoking in public areas.