Creating smokefree environments
VicHealth's support has ensured that Quit is able to continue its vital work in tobacco control
VicHealth has a long history of working with sport and the arts to promote the smokefree message and to create smokefree environments. These remain important elements of all our funded projects.
VicHealth also works closely with Quit to reduce the number of places where people are exposed to harmful substances in tobacco smoke by:
- supporting legislation to limit smoking in public places
- helping workplaces and public places wanting to become smokefree
- promoting the 'SmokeFree' message through sponsorship
- establishing VicHealth's healthy environments policy, which maintains a tobacco control focus in its funding agreements.
Legislation on smokefree environments
On 5 May 2005, the Health Minister Bronwyn Pike announced further reforms to the Tobacco Act which include:
- smoking bans in enclosed workplaces from 1 March 2006
- smoking bans in enclosed licensed premises from 1 July 2007
- bans on the promotion of tobacco products and the sale of tobacco products at underage 'music/dance' events from 1 March 2006
- smoking bans in covered areas of train station platforms, tram stops and bus stops from 1 March 2006
- bans on 'buzz marketing' and non-branded tobacco advertising from 1 March 2006
- strengthening laws to enforce the ban on cigarette sales to young people from 1 March 2006.
Source: Smokefree Victoria
Many Victorian bars and cafes have decided to beat the 1 July 2007 deadline, and have already gone smokefree. Patrons of almost 30 licensed venues in Melbourne and across the state can enjoy a smokefree environment.
VicHealth’s policy on smokefree environments
Under VicHealth's healthy environments policy, a compulsory condition of grant funding is that funded indoor events must be smokefree.