Smoking and vaping in many more outdoor public spaces is banned from today, 1 March, with new fines in place for those flouting the law.

No-smoking and vaping zones have been expanded to include at outdoor swimming pools, children’s sporting events, beaches near patrol flags and jetties and outside shopping centre entrances, childcare settings, schools and hospitals.

The zones have been introduced under new laws to protect the community from passive exposure to tobacco smoke and vape exhalant, following extensive consultation.

People caught smoking or vaping in any of the banned outdoor zones face on-the-spot fines of $105 and penalties of up to $750 if prosecuted. 

Tackling the health crisis of vaping and smoking will be a key focus of a new prevention agency launched in South Australia this week.

Preventive Health SA brings together Wellbeing SA and parts of Drug and Alcohol Services SA in a single independent agency.

Former Wellbeing SA head Marina Bowshall has been appointed interim chief executive.

Its prevention priorities will include tobacco, vaping, obesity, mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs, and the determinants of health.

The state government says investment in preventive health measures can help significantly reduce the amount and severity of preventable chronic disease, mental illness and injuries, not only reducing the impact on individuals and communities, but also contributing to building a sustainable health system as a whole.

SA’s new smoke and vape prohibited outdoor public spaces include:

• Outdoor public swimming facilities, and within 10 meters of the entrance.
• Beaches between and within 50 metres of patrol flags and within five metres of jetties.
• Within 10 metres of schools and childcare settings.
• Within 10 metres of non-residential building entrances, such as entrances to shopping centres, government and commercial buildings.
• Public hospitals and health facilities, private hospitals and within 10 metres of their boundaries.
• Major event venues declared under the Major Events Act 2013.
• Within 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 years sporting events.

The new zones significantly increase the number of outdoor places in SA where smoking and vaping is banned, in addition to the current smoke-free laws, which include outdoor dining areas, playgrounds and public transport shelters.

A ‘Clearing the Air’ advertising campaign has been launched to explain how the new laws will work, before a second burst of the ‘Vape Truths’ campaign kicks off in mid-March. 

Science presenter Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will feature and deliver a range of messages about the risks of vaping.

These ‘Vape Truths’ advertisements will feature on digital and social media platforms, as well as in shopping centres, on buses, and on regional and metro radio. The ads, which explain more about the risks of vaping and support for quitting, can be found on the Be Vape Free website.

Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia Clinical Director Dr Victoria Cock says the nicotine in one vape can be equal to 50 cigarettes, or even more.

“We now know the harms of tobacco smoking, and it’s becoming clear that vapes are also dangerous and can contain even more nicotine than cigarettes. This is particularly concerning when considering the health of our young people.

“We need to do all we can to both limit passive smoking and get the message out that vaping is highly addictive and could be very damaging to your health.

“It is always a good time to think about quitting smoking and vaping, and I encourage anyone thinking about quitting to call Quitline on 13 78 48.” 

For more information on the new laws, go to the Clearing the Air website.