The NSW Tobacco Strategy is one of the most progressive tobacco reforms in Australia, which will include a smoking ban in commercial outdoor dining areas from 2015.

Smoking-related illness accounts for about 5200 deaths and 44,000 hospital admissions per year in NSW and costs about $8 billion to the NSW economy annually.

The NSW Government will take the drastic new measures in a bid to reduce the harm which tobacco imposes on the community.

Cancer Council’s North West has applauded the NSW Government for announcing that it is set to introduce smoke-free outdoor laws across NSW.

“Cancer Council is delighted that the NSW government has taken this crucial step to protect children, parents and the whole community from toxic second-hand smoke,” Shaen Fraser Regional Programs Co-ordinator of Cancer Council’s North West said.

“But this will also protect new smokers from the harmful effects of smoking and support people who want to quit, and discourage young people from taking up smoking.

“Businesses can be reassured that this announcement will be good for them, with research showing that for every person who objects to smoke-free dining, seven people will favour the move. This means smoke-free dining is good for health, good for dining and good for business,” she said.

Mrs Skinner said the government was sending another clear message about smoking.

“Reducing the harm which tobacco inflicts on our community is a key priority for the O’Farrell Government,” Mrs Skinner said.

“The distress and cost that smoking inflicts on families, and the burden this imposes on NSW’s health system, is simply not acceptable,” she said.

“This is a cornerstone of the NSW Government’s strengthened commitment to preventive health, to keep people healthy and out of hospital.”