Vic: Smoking to be banned in shopping centres = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2001
Vic: Smoking to be banned in shopping centres = 2

Mr Thwaites later said smokers who flouted the ban in enclosed shopping centres would
face a $100 fine.

The state government would provide a total of $1 million to local councils to enforce
the ban in shopping centres and restaurants.

The Health Minister said the government may consider extending the smoking bans to
pubs and gaming venues.

"We're going to see how this works in restaurants and also in the shopping centres
first," Mr Thwaites said.

"We'll consider that and then consider whether further changes should be made."

Premier Steve Bracks told radio 3AW that a ban on smoking in pubs and gaming venues
was eventually "bound to happen".

"Pubs and clubs are more difficult because, culturally, it's about drinking and smoking,
and that's a much longer term one, but it's not off the agenda completely," the Premier
said.

AAP tsc/clr/mg

KEYWORD: SMOKING VIC 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.