The Cancer Council continues to urge the Queensland government to enforce a blanket-ban on smoking in apartments, ahead of the next state election.
Their submission to the Queensland Property Law Review recommends bodies corporate be given the power to enact smoke-free by-laws, including banning smoking completely.
It also recommends a provision of a dispute resolution service in relation to complaints about smoke-drift, through the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management, in addition to funding for the promotion of smoke-free homes.
It follows a state-wide survey by the organisation, which found 70 per cent of Queenslanders support a total ban on smoking in multi-unit dwellings. Smoke-free apartments encourage existing smokers to quit
According to the Cancer Council, half of the survey respondents living in multi-unit dwellings are affected by smoke drift, and 55 per cent are extremely concerned about the health risks.
“Ensuring multi-unit dwellings are smoke-free involves a blanket ban on smoking, and educating residents about the importance of smoke-free homes,” says Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan.
“Smoke-free units and apartments will also encourage existing smokers to quit, and prevent the next generation from taking up the habit.”
The highest number of submissions to the Queensland Property Law Review Options Paper, titled Body corporate governance issues: By-laws, debt recovery and scheme termination, were in response to whether or not a body corporate should have the ability to ban smoking on a lot.
Of the 261 submissions, a vast majority support giving the body corporate the authority to adopt and enforce a by-law prohibiting smoking on a lot where the smoke drifts from the lot to an adjacent lot.
The consultation period is now closed and responses to QUT’s report are being considered. We’ll keep you informed as new information surfaces.
You can read the QUT’s recommendations here. More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at cancerqld.org.au.