From tomorrow, February 1, smoking is prohibited within 50 meters of the flags at Wollongong’s patrolled beaches, including those in the Northern Illawarra.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery says when community members or visitors go to the beach, Council wants them to enjoy a healthy and smoke-free environment.
“Smoking tobacco is the single most preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia,” he says. “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.
“Smoke-free areas in places where children and families gather can help to ‘de-normalise’ smoking,” he says.
The rules extend existing smoke-free areas at children’s playgrounds, sporting facilities, leisure centres, public swimming pools and entrances to public buildings.
“These smoke-free areas are self-regulated and supported by signage,” says Mayor Bradbery. ” This approach has been in place since 2010 and we’ve found the community has complied with smoke-free areas. I ask the public to respect everyone’s right to smoke-free clean air.”
