Health Minister Roger Cook has approved the removal of a smoking exemption for Crown Perth's International Room gaming facility, due to take effect from December 31, 2021.
Under Regulation 10(2) of the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2006, smoking had been allowed within the International Room at Crown Perth previously.
The Department of Health has been in liaison with Crown Perth about the change to the Regulations to remove the smoking exemption. The amended Regulations are due to be published in the Government Gazette in mid-December 2021.
Once the amendment takes effect, Crown Perth must abide by the same smoke-free requirement that applies to all enclosed hospitality premises in Western Australia.
Exposure to second-hand smoke is a proven health risk and an occupational health and safety issue for staff and the community. The most effective way to protect people from the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke is to provide a smoke free environment.
The Regulations ban smoking in or around all enclosed public places in WA including those on licensed premises. The Regulations apply to public premises including shopping centres, theatres and cinemas, airports, cafes and restaurants, pubs, bars and night clubs, sporting clubs and public transport including buses, trains and taxis.
The laws aim to reduce community exposure to second-hand smoke. Numerous scientific studies have shown that exposure to second-hand smoke causes or promotes illnesses and diseases including lung cancer and heart disease.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"Western Australia has been a frontrunner when it comes to public health measures to protect our citizens from the dangers of second-hand smoke in a variety of public places.
"For more than 22 years we have had widespread smoking bans in Western Australia.
"There is no good reason to maintain the smoking exemption at Crown's International Room and that is why I proposed to remove it.
"Once the amendment takes effect, people will not be allowed to smoke in the International Room area at Crown Perth. I'd like to thank Crown for their co-operation."
