Cancer Council WA calls for more smoke-free public spaces in Great Southern on World No Tobacco Day

Cancer Council WA has called on Great Southern local governments to create more outdoor smoke-free public spaces in their communities to mark World No Tobacco Day.

World No Tobacco Day — started by the World Health Organisation in 1987 — has become an annual event to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and preventable death and disease.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia.

Cancer Council WA Great Southern regional education officer Bruce Beamish and Southern Aboriginal Corporation public health officer Mark Colbung took to North Road Shopping Centre on Tuesday to urge the community to say no to smoking.

Mr Beamish said Great Southern local governments had an important role to play in creating smoke-free public spaces.

“We know from our research that creating smoke-free public spaces helps to provide a supportive environment for people wanting to quit smoking and those who have quit,” he said.

“Around two in five WA smokers report that creating more public smoke-free outdoor areas would be helpful if they were attempting to quit smoking.

“We urge our local government authorities here in the Great Southern to listen to our community and commit to increasing the number of smoke-free public spaces to provide a healthy environment for everyone.”

Mr Beamish said the City of Albany had committed to expanding the number of smoke-free public spaces starting with the Centennial Park Sporting Precinct.

City public health manager Scott Reitsema said the City aimed to protect the community and young children from exposure to smoke when enjoying outdoor public spaces.

“Our Smoke-Free Outdoors Policy ensures that the City goes the extra mile in creating healthier environments and ultimately leads to the reduction and impact of second-hand smoke,” he said.

Cancer Council 13 11 20.