New reason to quit smoking in NSW
Residents of New South Wales are facing a change that will affect where people can smoke in public places.
Non-smokers will likely be happy to hear of tougher regulations that aim to keep the public safe. Smokers may see the new rules as an opportunity to try to quit, or perhaps an inconvenience to their daily living.
In 2015 it will be illegal to smoke in many public outdoor places. In an effort to reduce risk of tobacco-related illnesses, the new rules will ban smoking at public pools, public sports grounds, public transportation stops and entrances to public buildings.
Smoking has already been banned inside most commercial property centres in New South Wales. Shopping malls, restaurants and office buildings are all off limits for puffing. The habit incurs a health and fire risk for the people in the building and makes for tougher upkeep for property owners.
The habit is expensive not only to those buying the costly cigarettes, but also to the economy as a whole. Smoking costs the state roughly $8 billion per year in health and damage expenses related to the habit.
