Glenys Grant, with her children Ashlee, 7, Zac, 2, and Jayden, 10, is happy proposed new laws will ban smoking in children’s playgrounds in Victoria, to bring it in line with NSW. Picture: BEN EYLES
WODONGA and the North East is set to follow NSW’s lead and ban smoking at all children’s playgrounds, skate parks and sporting facilities.
It means the Ovens and Murray Ovens Football-Netball League has one year left before smoking is banned at all its venues while parents at Victorian playgrounds will no longer be able to smoke while their children play.
Health Minister David Davis said yesterday the government would consult on the changes.
Local councils, health and sporting groups have six weeks to make submissions on the laws, which the government hopes to bring before Parliament this year.
Smoking will be banned at all Ovens and Murray Ovens Football-Netball League venues from next year with bans in NSW taking effect this season.
League general manager Aaron McGlynn said the laws had been on the horizon for some time.
“I don’t think it will stop more than a few people from going to the footy,” he said.
“It may cause some initial concern but, over time, people will adjust.”
The league would be guided by clubs on whether it would make a submission.
Table Top mother of five Glenys Grant said the new laws were a positive step.
“I’ve been in playgrounds at times with smokers and I prefer my children not to have that influence,” she said.
“I do understand people have their rights but I guess we’ve all heard the health issues to do with smoking.
“I do prefer to stay away from people who do smoke when I’m in these types of environments with my kids.”
