A PORT Fairy resident who wanted to rid society of “one of the most dangerous substances known to man” has lost his bid to have smoking banned in the town’s CBD.
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Smokers will still be able to indulge themselves in the shopping area after Moyne Shire councillors rejected Michael Price’s idea.
Mr Price last month presented council with a petition signed by traders and residents and this week addressed the council meeting, outlining his hopes to get rid of nicotine. Mr Price told councillors that his father was on oxygen because he had smoked cigarettes.
The shire’s environment and planning director Oliver Moles said smoking was already being dealt with through regulations at federal and state levels.
Mr Moles said there would be financial implications if council introduced a smoking ban because it would take more local laws officers to enforce the rule. He said they would also need a presence on public holidays and weekends if the law was to be administered properly.
While councillors voted unanimously to reject the smoking ban, Cr Colin Ryan praised Mr Price for his efforts.
“I appreciate his endeavours to get this passed at council with the community in mind, but as indicated by Mr Moles, there are restrictions as to what we can do,” Cr Ryan said. “At some stage in the future, smoking will be banned in public.”