No fines have been handed out for smoking near playgrounds Canberra, despite a proposal to extend the ban to bus stops, Fairfax Media can reveal.
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While lighting up within 10 metres of a playground could cost you up to $750, ACT Policing, Access Canberra inspectors and city rangers have not pinged anyone for puffing away in the year since the ban was introduced.
But ACT health minister Meegan Fitzharris defended the effectiveness of the ban, as the government considers whether to make public transport stops smoke-free areas too.
"The World Health Organisation has concluded that only 100 per cent smoke-free environments provide effective protection. Declaring new smoke-free areas are a vitally important tool to protect the health of our community," Ms Fitzharris said.
"They reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and improve health outcomes in smokers and non-smokers. They play an important role de-normalising smoking in the community, which helps to prevent our children and young people from taking up the habit."
The ACT government passed laws last year to make it easier to declare smoking bans in more areas.
Smoking is currently banned in all enclosed public places, such as shopping centres, cinemas, office buildings, buses, taxis, restaurants, pubs and clubs.
The government received more than 550 submissions about the proposal to ban smoking from public transport stops before consultation closed on April 7.
The ACT is currently the only state or territory that has not outlawed smoking at bus stops.
ACT Health said the "overwhelming majority (94 per cent)" supported the ban within five metres of at bus stops, taxi ranks, train stations and future light rail stops.
"The outcomes of the community consultation process will inform the finalisation of the proposal and the development of accompanying documents including a Regulatory Impact Statement," an ACT Health spokeswoman said.
The health minister and the chief minister must weigh up the costs and benefits of making an area smoke-free before declaring the ban, ACT Health said.
They also have to consider how often children or families use the area, the impact on community health and how to promote compliance.
An Access Canberra spokeswoman said the government was continuing to explore options to further restrict smoking areas.
