Brisbane City Council opposition councillor Kara Cook wants smoking banned on a busy CBD footpath, saying people shouldn't have to battle "a cloud of toxic smoke" daily.
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The council received a 51-signature petition requesting a ban on smoking on Edward Street between Ann and Queen Streets.
The petitioners also requested the council enforce the hostel on the corner of Edward and Ann streets hold some responsibility for litter from cigarette butts and congestion from persons congregating at the hostel entry.
Cr Cook said she supported the position to ban smoking on the footpath which was frequently crowded with smokers and littered with butts.
“It means that non-smokers, thousands of commuters, including parents with children and prams, are funnelled on to this smoke-filled, congested footpath,” Cr Cook said.
“Non-smokers shouldn’t have to battle a cloud of toxic smoke just going about their daily business.
“There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
“That’s why we have designated smoking areas in numerous premises and smoke-free zones throughout the city.”
Currently, smoking is banned in outdoor pedestrian malls, public transport waiting spots and entrances to certain enclosed places.
Council officers assessed the petitioner’s request and said a smoking ban was currently in place on the western side of Edward Street, from Adelaide to Queen streets, as this area was considered an outdoor pedestrian mall.
“For other areas on Edward Street, excluding the hostel, it is a requirement for people not to smoke within five metres of an entrance to an enclosed place,” the council officers said as part of their recommendation.
“A council officer engaged with hostel management on 10 August 2018 to discuss the issue of visitors blocking of the footpath while smoking, and the potential for increased cigarette litter.
“Hostel management have confirmed they will advise all residents of their obligations to ensure the footpath is clear and dispose of cigarette butts appropriately.”
Cr Cook said the council had ignored residents.
“They have the power to make immediate changes but yet again, demonstrate how out of touch they are with the residents they are supposed to serve,” she said.
This is not the first time opposition councillors have called for an extended smoking ban in Brisbane CBD.
In March 2017, the opposition supported a petition calling for a ban on smoking in King George Square.
Lord mayor Graham Quirk ruled out the ban for King George Square in June 2017 and said the council received the council received very few complaints about smoking in the square.
