Cafes stop serving food so smokers can continue to light up outside
CAFE owners have stopped serving food outdoors to keep their smoking customers happy, getting around the new laws introduced last week.
Smoke-free alfresco dining came into place last Monday and cafes in places like Liverpool have already stopped customers from eating in their outdoor spaces so patrons can still light up.
All commercial outdoor dining areas across the state, including hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes have been smoke-free from July 6 under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.
The extreme measure has been taken by numerous cafes in Macquarie Mall, but they’re not sure how long they can maintain the stance.
Cafes in Macquarie Mall have stopped serving food so customers can continue to enjoy their coffee and cigarette. Picture: Justin Sanson
La Maison de Cafe owner Sam Aldoumany said the majority of his customers come in for a coffee, sit down and have a cigarette.
“The police came around to all the cafes on the first day and told us our options — we either stop serving food out there and allow people to smoke, or stop smokers all together out there,” he said. “I’ve been in business for 15 years, and this is a stupid law to bring in.
“If they want to stop smokers, they need to stop selling it (cigarettes).”
Under the Act, smoking is banned in seated outdoor dining areas while food is being served.
People lighting up in eateries in Liverpool's Macquarie Mall, even after it became illegal in outdoor dining areas on July 6.
To date, NSW Health inspectors have received 60 complaints statewide about people and businesses breaking the law.
“Inspectors will visit these premises to assess compliance and enforce the law where appropriate,” a NSW Health spokesman said.
NSW Health-authorised inspectors can issue on-the-spot fines of $300 to individuals and penalties of up to $5500 for occupiers who ignore the ban.
A whopping 18.8 per cent of residents in the South Western Local Health District smoke cigarettes.
Almost 19 per cent of residents in the Liverpool area smoke cigarettes.
The Health Stats NSW figures mean it is in the top five highest areas of smokers. Western NSW is the worst offender, with 22.6 per cent of the population smoking.
Gourmet Cafe on Macquarie owner Panayiota Saroufim were concerned about the laws when the Leader spoke with them a month ago.
To get around the law, they’ve stopped serving food between 6am and 8am and again at 3pm and 5pm.
“It’s not the best outcome in terms of running a business,” she said.
“We’re definitely down with customers.
“It’s hard to judge it at the moment. Give us a few weeks and we’ll have a better idea of the real impact.”
Ms Saroufim said a lot of local cafes were serving food inside and providing just the outside for coffee consumption and smoking.
“I don’t have enough seating to do that for customers — there’s just not enough room inside.”
Source: The Daily Telegraph - Liverpool Leader, Stacy Thomas, July 14th 2015
