New smoke free rules change dining in SA
by Leon Gettler
Diners in Adelaide are adjusting to new smoke-free outdoor dining laws.
The new laws being introduced in South Australia on July 1 will ban smoking in outdoor dining areas while food is being served.
Diners will be permitted to smoke in outdoor areas once food service has concluded although restaurants and eateries are still waiting to be briefed on the changes.
It will be an issue for restaurants, particularly those in Adelaide’s CBD where there’s only one outdoor area available to both diners and smokers. That means restaurant owners have to decide which will take priority.
Sam Thomas, manager of The Austral Hotel on Rundle Street, told InNews that the change might affect his iconic East End hotel’s drinking culture.
It means that visitors who happen to be lighting up will no longer be able to spill out onto the footpath where people are eating.
He said he might looking at moving the outdoor dining area from the front of the pub to the balcony.
“It’s a good opportunity to make use of the balcony and channel people upstairs,’’ Mr Thomas said.
Some Adelaide restaurants, such as Peel St in the West End, have anticipated the changes and have changed their dining arrangements, by introducing smoke-free outdoor areas ahead of the licensing change.
Sally Neville, deputy CEO of Restaurants and Catering Australia, said it would take time for people to adjust to the smoke-free outdoor dining laws, just like they had to do when indoor smoking rules were introduced.
“I think there will be an adjustment period where people come to terms with what it means for their businesses, but when they get used to it, it will be simple,” Ms Neville said.
The government is planning a media campaign in May to raise public awareness.
If nothing else, it might help smokers avoid a fine of up to $200 for smoking in outdoor dining area.
29th March 2016
