Lennon softens line on total smoking ban
 July 6, 2004

THE Government appears to be softening its opposition to a total ban on smoking in all hospitality venues.

Premier Paul Lennon said yesterday the Government's proposed legislation was "capable of being amended".

Deputy Premier and Health Minister David Llewellyn said at the weekend that calls for a total ban were "almost irresistible".

The Government faces growing community pressure for a total smoking ban in all hospitality venues to protect workers and patrons from second-hand tobacco smoke.

The move was recommended by the Health Department but the legislation proposed by the Government bans smoking only in nightclubs and gaming rooms and stops short of a full ban in bars and hotels.

Tasmania's most high-profile cancer expert, Professor Ray Lowenthal, said at the weekend that state and federal governments ought to be shamed for not putting the health and welfare of the community ahead of hospitality industry profits.

Mr Lennon said yesterday Parliament would have the final say.

"The legislation is capable of being amended now that it's in Parliament and ultimately Parliament has the final say," Mr Lennon said.

"I'm taking great note of what Professor Lowenthal and other important professionals within the community are saying about the smoking issue."

However, Mr Lennon maintained his view that prohibition would not work and that governments had a commitment to all sections of the community, including business and industry.

"We're doing more about controlling smoking in public places than most other jurisdictions in Australia and certainly we compare to most other jurisdictions around the world," he said.

MLCs Ivan Dean and Jim Wilkinson have said they will push for a total ban when the legislation reaches the Upper House, probably late next month or early September.

Labor's Deputy Leader in the Upper House, Doug Parkinson, will be expected to toe the Labor Party line and support the legislation in its current form, despite seconding a motion at ALP state conference last year calling for a total ban.

The Tasmanian Greens yesterday said they would move to amend the Government's legislation, saying a partial ban on smoking would not protect hospitality workers.

Their push is unlikely to succeed on party lines.