Cancer Council WA survey reveals 75 per cent of West Aussies want pubs, clubs, bars completely smoke free
WA health experts are demanding the State Government close a long-standing loophole allowing smoking in outdoor areas of licensed venues after new data shows the public is losing their appetite for secondhand smoke.
Cancer Council research has found support for making WA pubs, clubs and bars completely smoke-free has grown significantly; A surprising 75 percent of adults believe these spaces should be completely free of both tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor.
Cancer Council WA Make Smoking History manager Libby Jardine said the findings sent a clear message that Western Australians wanted stronger protection from second-hand smoke.
Current legislation allows licensed venues to allow up to 50 per cent smoking of their outdoor eating and drinking areas, while restaurants are strictly smoke-free.
Ms Jardine said the data showed businesses could gain more customers by quitting smoking.
“More than half of West Australians told us making venues completely smoke-free would not affect how often they would visit, while a third said they would visit smoke-free venues more often,” he said.
The survey results dispel traditional industry concerns about potential loss of patronage.
Only nine percent of respondents said they would visit venues less if they were made smoke-free.
Ninety-one percent of adults in Western Australia reported that they would visit pubs, clubs and bars more often if they were made smoke-free, or that it would not make a difference to their frequency of visiting.
“Additionally, three-quarters of Western Australians think all pubs, clubs and bars should be completely smoke-free and vape-free,” Ms Jardine said.
“These results send a strong message that Western Australians want to enjoy a night out without being surrounded by smoke.”
Beyond customer convenience, the Cancer Council highlights critical health impacts for workers in the industry who are often exposed to harmful second-hand smoke as a condition of their employment.
“Smoke-free environments protect the health of customers and staff, support smokers looking to quit and make spaces more welcoming for everyone,” he said.
This pressure comes as smoking rates remain at 12.5 percent. Advocates argue that maintaining smoking areas in social centers makes the journey to quit smoking significantly more difficult.
