Question regarding banning smoking in children's playgrounds and school boundaries. Minister acknowledges the health risks but avoids committing to specific action, stating parents shouldn't need legislation to avoid smoking around children.

AnsweredQoN 659Legislative Assembly
Asked
6 May 2003
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) As part of the long-awaited review of the Health (Smoking in Enclosed Public Places) Regulations 1999, will the minister consider banning smoking in children’s playgrounds and within school boundaries? (2) Is the minister aware that similar steps have been taken in California, where legislators recognise that children, whose lungs are very vulnerable to the effects of tobacco smoke, must be protected? Mr R.C. KUCERA

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I firstly congratulate the member for Alfred Cove on reminding every parent that children have the right to free and healthy air to breathe. I urge all parents not to smoke anywhere near their children, and not to take their children into any area where there is smoke, because it is dangerous and harmful. Dr J.M. Woollard: Will you answer the question in relation to children’s playgrounds? Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
(2) Is the minister aware that similar steps have been taken in California, where legislators recognise that children, whose lungs are very vulnerable to the effects of tobacco smoke, must be protected? Mr R.C. KUCERA replied: (1)-(2) I firstly congratulate the member for Alfred Cove on reminding every parent that children have the right to free and healthy air to breathe. I urge all parents not to smoke anywhere near their children, and not to take their children into any area where there is smoke, because it is dangerous and harmful. Dr J.M. Woollard: Will you answer the question in relation to children’s playgrounds? Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
Mr R.C. KUCERA replied: (1)-(2) I firstly congratulate the member for Alfred Cove on reminding every parent that children have the right to free and healthy air to breathe. I urge all parents not to smoke anywhere near their children, and not to take their children into any area where there is smoke, because it is dangerous and harmful. Dr J.M. Woollard: Will you answer the question in relation to children’s playgrounds? Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
(1)-(2) I firstly congratulate the member for Alfred Cove on reminding every parent that children have the right to free and healthy air to breathe. I urge all parents not to smoke anywhere near their children, and not to take their children into any area where there is smoke, because it is dangerous and harmful. Dr J.M. Woollard: Will you answer the question in relation to children’s playgrounds? Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
Dr J.M. Woollard: Will you answer the question in relation to children’s playgrounds? Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
Mr R.C. KUCERA: The member asked two questions, and I am getting around to both of them. Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
Any parent using a children’s playground should not need to be reminded about or legislated against smoking around children. My understanding, unless advised otherwise by the Minister for Education and Training, is that schools are the same as every other government building, and that smoking is not permitted in schools or their surrounds. The first part of the member’s question has been adequately answered. Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.
Studies similar to those in California have been done here. I compliment Professor Fiona Stanley on the studies she does with young children. I thank the member again for reminding young parents that the very worst thing they can do is smoke around their children.

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