An additional block of Tamworth's Peel Street between Darling Street and Bourke Street is now active as a smoke-free area. This complements the pre-existing smoke-free areas in Peel Street, extending from Bourke St to Hill St and also including all of Fitzroy Street.
Signage has been installed within this new area overnight and today Council's Environmental Health Officers visited businesses in the block and spoke to shoppers and workers to inform them the area was now officially smoke-free.
The extension of the Smoke-free Environment Policy follows Council's decision towards the end of last year to implement more smoke free areas, because the move was supported by the Tamworth community.
Councillor Helen Tickle, who first supported the introduction of a Smoke-free Environment Policy in 2015 said that the activation of the new area is "a step towards ensuring common areas within the community are healthier and safer".
"Council would like to thank residents for their support and patience while the work has been done to add the new smoke-free area of Peel Street," she said.
Throughout this week, information cards will be distributed to street-goers near the new smoke-free area to remind them that this zone is now in effect. Manilla and Barraba also have smoke areas. Individuals, under certain circumstances, can be fined $110 if found smoking in designated smoke-free areas.
Councillor Tickle, is calling on the community to encourage each other to keep the specified areas smoke-free. "While we have already seen a decline in the use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes in the existing zones, I'd like to gently remind the community to prioritise the health and comfort of all residents while moving through our new smoke-free space," she said.
