NOW it's The
SMOKE Police
Queensland's Tobacco Laws


It's fitting that April Fools Day 2005 should be the opening day for The Queensland Government to introduce it's latest Draconian Anti-Smoking Laws.
Whilst we all agree that sensible Tobacco Laws and Regulation are required, the Queensland Smoking Bans in outdoor venues such as; Between the flags on beaches, Within 10m of Children s Playgrounds, At Sports Stadiums , and within 4 meters of non-residential building entrances have gone TOO FAR.


I can recall dining at a restaurant and having my dinner spoilt by some inconsiderate bastard lighting up an after dinner cigar at the next table, and having to endure the stench of a pipe smoker sitting next to me in a movie theater, but these outdoor bans are simply ridiculous.

In addition they contain numerous gray areas which are open to interpretation by those empowered to police them, particularly the 4 meter setback from shopping mall entrances.
So much so that most of the states 125 local councils refused to help the Government to enforce them.  However Maroochy Shire Council was NOT among them.
Of the 46 ($150) fines issued statewide on the 1st day, 82% were within Maroochy boundaries. And 74% of them were for Smoking within 4 meters of shopping center entrances. 
One woman was just walking past the entrance to the Plaza and stopped to stub out her cigarette in the ashtray provided when the "Health" officer nabbed her and fined her $150 because she "stopped".
According to the LAW, if she hadn't stopped she wouldn't have been breaking the law.

Maroochy seem to have embraced the new laws with open arms with 4 new Officers appointed to enforce them.

Ironically they have had to SACK the Maroochy River Watch Ranger who was costing them $50,000 a year  working 24/7 a week for the past 8 years in order to pay for the new Smoke Police.   Smart eh?
Still, what can you expect from a Council who draws it's Local Laws Officers from the ranks of Ex-Traffic Cops?

Hey - Isn't it nice to see a man who enjoys his job?
HEADLINES April 1st  This  was the HEADLINES in the Local Newspaper on the first day the new Tobacco Laws were introduced.
(CLICK Pic to read story)

STATS  This  is the MOST Contentous part of the New Laws, which Maroochy used to score most of their Fines on the 1st day.
(CLICK Pic to read story)

If YOU have any TALES send them to me as a TXT File
An' I'll publish them up here as an X-File

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