According to the Victorian Population Health Survey, the amount of rural and regional Victorians who smoke is four per cent greater than residents of Melbourne. 

Quitting smoking might have topped the list of new year resolutions for a number of people but for those who haven’t yet done so, Quit Victoria Director Dr Sarah White said the organisation recommended setting a quiet period after the holiday period when people are back at work or the kids are back at school. She said that if someone was a one pack a day smoker, quitting could mean an annual saving of $9000.

Part of the coming reforms to create a lower smoking rate among Victorians include regulation of e-cigarettes and Shisha tobacco in the same way as other tobacco products and a ban on smoking at any outdoor dining area where food is available. According to the state government, 73 per cent of Victorians support the ban on outdoor smoking. 

Manager of Ballarat’s Unicorn Cafe, Jamie Leonard, said she does not think it will be difficult to regulate the new restrictions. 

“Most people know this is happening. I honestly don’t think it will have many effects on the business at all. Probably the younger crowd won’t come in as much.” Ms Leonard said. 

Manager of Oscar’s, Nicholas Quinlan, said the venue has already taken measures to prepare for the coming regulations. “We’ve actually put on a new extension, it blocks off the outside areas. I guess everybody’s in the same boat. Patrons will just have to adjust accordingly.” 

Outdoor festivals, such as Springfest, organised by the Ballarat Rotary Club, will also be affected by changes to regulations. Barbara Glass of the Ballarat Rotary Club said the festival is a family event and not an appropriate place to be smoking. She said the festival encourages well-being and hosts activities that support foundations like the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Spokesman for the department of Health and Human Services, Bram Alexander said the department does rely on colleagues in local government to make sure the law is being observed, through fines and letters of warning. He said the government will provide information to the community and businesses so they know what changes to apply.

“From the inception of stricter tobacco laws in Victoria, it has been our experience that people don’t deliberately or flagrantly break the laws and there is usually no need for follow up action,” Mr Alexander said. 

“We know that smoking does inflict a heavy cost on the community in term of hospitals and also individuals, such as those unable to work,” Mr Alexander said.