Correspondence has been received from Dr Kerry Chant, the chief health officer and deputy director general of Population and Public Health Sector of the NSW Government outlining the new amendments made to the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000. 

The Tobacco Legislation Amendment act 2012 came into effect on January 7 and as a result it is now illegal to smoke in public playgrounds within 10 metres of children’s play equipment, in open areas of public swimming pools, in major sporting facilities and at public sports grounds, at public transport stops and stations and within four metres of the pedestrian access point to a public building. 

From 2015 smoking will also be prohibited in commercial outdoor dining areas.

Under the reforms occupiers of the premises will be required to display no smoking signage.

The new legislation will be enforced by inspectors and a state-wide community educa-tion campaign will aim to familiarise the public with these new laws.