NEW smoking bans come into effect in NSW next week.
From July 6, all commercial dining areas at hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes will be smoke-free.
Smoking will be banned in dining areas during times when food is being served.
The bans apply to all ignited products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and water-pipes.
Some customers stopped coming when we introduced the ban, but we gained lots more customers who liked the idea of smoking not being allowed
- Manager of Kurrabar Cafe at Cronulla, Sandra Anni
Larger venues, such as Oatley Hotel, will be able to designate which areas of the premises can be for smoking, depending on what functions and events are being held on a particular day.
Smoking will still be banned in any area where food is consumed; however, the pub will be able to pick and choose the location of those areas, licensee Lyn Humphries said.
Manager of Kurrabar Cafe at Cronulla, Sandra Anni, said the bans were a step in the right direction.
The cafe went smoke-free in February in response to customers' concerns about being exposed to second-hand smoke.
"Some customers stopped coming when we introduced the ban, but we gained lots more customers who liked the idea of smoking not being allowed," Mrs Anni said.
"It was a win-win situation in the end."
Tobacco smoking kills more than 15,000 Australians each year and costs an estimated $31.5 billion a year in social and economic costs.
Local Health District Public Health Unit manager, Professor Mark Ferson, said NSW Health inspectors could issue fines of $300 to individuals and $5500 for business operators who ignored the bans.
A public awareness campaign about the smoke-free outdoor dining began in May.
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