Should smoking in home units be banned?

It’s one of the measures Queenslanders are being asked to consider, in a new survey on smoke-free places.

Joshua Martin reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Queensland’s smoking laws are some of the toughest in the country.

But for the first time the public smoke-free battleground is heading into private residences.

A new survey is asking whether smoking should be banned in town houses and home units, because of the dangers of drifting smoke.

Chris McMillan, Cancer Council Queensland CEO: “Look it isn’t a step too far. Realistically we are entitled to breath in healthy fresh air and smoking is a pollutant.”

The Cancer Council Queensland, Heart Foundation and Asthma Foundation have united to tackle the issue of second-hand smoke.

Chris McMillan, Cancer Council Queensland CEO: “I think that’s an important step because realistically smoking does contribute to chronic health disease, cancer being a part of that.”

Some non-smokers who live in units agree.

VOX 1: “We live in an apartment and there is always someone smoking. Which drifts into everyone else’s apartments, and the flick their butts over.”

Over one quarter of Australians now live in high-density residential buildings including young families.

VOX 2: “You don’t want the second hand smoke if you’re not a smoker.”

VOX 3: “You wouldn’t want that for your kids.”

VOX 4: “Maybe it’s a matter of diplomacy. If the kids are next door on the balcony maybe just don’t smoke.”

Of the 3,700 people who die from smoking in Queensland every year two per cent are caused by second hand smoke.

The survey on the Cancer Council’s website will take you five minutes to complete.

They’re urging everyone to have their say over the next three weeks, before the results are reviewed.

A public health debate now turning private.

Joshua Martin, QUT News.