The Vic health minister is set to announce a ban on smoking at outdoor dining and hospitality venues as well as at entrances to public buildings.

Smoking will be banned in outdoor eating areas in Victoria but not before the next election.

Health Minister David Davis said the government wants to prevent smokers lighting up in alfresco dining venues but it needs to consult with the industry to determine the details of the ban.

He could not say when the changes would come into effect or what it would mean for outdoor drinking areas.

The laws will not be changed before the November 29 election, but Mr Davis said legislation will "certainly" be introduced in the next term of government.

"It will apply to areas where there's dining and the matters around drinking will be worked out steadily in this process," Mr Davis told reporters on Monday.

The Cancer Council said workers in outdoor hospitality areas are entitled to an environment free of smoke.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) urged the government to act quickly and ensure the ban applies to anywhere food or drinks are served.

"This smoking ban needs to apply to all Victorian outdoor dining areas, including bars that do not serve food," AMA Victorian president Tony Bartone said.

He said Victoria's tobacco act states tobacco is so injurious to health as to warrant restrictive legislation.

Continued here:
Victorian alfresco venues to be smoke free

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August 4, 2014 at 11:39 am by Mr HomeBuilder
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