Sydney Goes Smoke Free

SYDNEY has emulated universities on the other side of the country by declaring itself smoke-free.

The policy came into effect at the end of January after being approved by the University of Sydney Senate in December.

Human resources director Colin Streeter said the policy matched moves by other universities. “The dangers associated with smoking and passive smoking have long been recognised, and we have an obligation under state legislation to provide a smoke-free environment,” he said.

The universities of Western Australia, Curtin and Edith Cowan instituted similar policies on January 1, and Murdoch has promised to follow suit next year. The University of Adelaide phased in a total smoking ban over the last two years, and Macquarie will this year review plans for a total smoking ban from 2015.

But Sydney has eschewed the total ban approach of the WA universities, designating 19 small external areas for smoking across its seven campuses.

In this respect it has followed the example of James Cook University’s Cairns campus, which banned smoking from all but four external designated areas.

Sydney has established a quit smoking program and offered counselling via its employee assistance program.

The university union was consulted over the new policy, and pre-empted it by banning tobacco sales from its outlets last October. President Sibella Matthews said the union was committed to a “healthy campus environment”.

The new policy also meets union concerns by allowing organisers to apply for temporary smoking areas at enclosed events, such as ticketed performances at the popular Hermann’s and Manning bars.

However with the university and union in dispute over whether the union will continue to run Manning, it’s yet to be seen who will benefit from this concession.

University polls reportedly revealed 83 per cent support for smoking exclusion zones, with 78 per cent or respondents supporting a complete ban on campus.

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