Smoking halted on Hall Street

BY SATHSARA RADALIYAGODA & TOMMY BOUTROS

Waverley Council will implement a smoking ban from March 30 on Hall Street in Bondi, in an attempt to match the success of a smoking ban placed on Oxford Street Mall in 2016.

The ban will be in place from 7 am to 9 pm and will include both sides of Hall Street.

Waverley Council says the aim of the ban is to protect members of the community from the unnecessary harm of passive smoking.

A spokeswoman for Waverley Council says that the risk of illness from passive smoking is heightened in Hall Street as it is a common smoking area in Bondi.

“Passive smoking is a community safety issue. Hall Street is extremely popular, and the Council would like all people to be able to enjoy the area without experiencing passive smoke,” she said.

Research carried out by Cancer Council Australia indicates that long-term exposure to secondhand smoking can increase the risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers by 30 percent.

A spokesperson for Waverley Council says the decision to extend the smoke-free zone has been made to ensure their residents are not at risk.

However, the council has suggested some community members oppose the ban.

Bondi resident, Beril Von Hucktinstein, is one such person.

“I hardly ever comply and I’ve never seen anyone try and enforce the restriction on me.

“I didn’t realise there was a non-smoking zone till I noticed a small sign reading “smoking kills less than fascism” which I think describes the zone perfectly,” she said.

Local community member, Lucy Fountain, believes the extension to the smoke-free zone is a positive step forward for the council.

Ms Fountain is an advocate for creating healthier spaces for residents in the Bondi area and says she is strongly opposed to smoking in the area.

“As a mother and a health conscious individual, smoking to me is a big no-no,” she said.

Ms Fountain says that her children have also become concerned with excessive smoking around Hall Street and that the ban will be an effective way to reduce the risk of second-hand smoke in the area.

“As a local of Bondi…my kids and I are very conscious of people smoking near by, so we avoid those situations,” she said.

A spokesperson for Gusto Espresso Bar on Hall Street says he is uncertain whether the extension of the smoke-free zone will affect their customers or the workings of their business.

“It’s hard to say whether it’ll have any impact. Will smokers move away from frequenting Hall St cafes because they have to walk further to have a cigarette? We can’t really say at the moment,” he said.

However, the spokesperson did reveal that passive smoking on Hall Street is a common occurrence, saying, “Most people have experienced passive second-hand smoking and if you’re a non-smoker then it’s not pleasant.”

A council review will take place in 12 months to determine the benefit of the smoke free zone.