The City of Sydney will create a permanent smoke-free zone in the pedestrian section of Pitt Street Mall, between Market and King streets, following calls from shoppers, workers and pedestrians.
The initiative follows the City’s successful smoke-free trial in Martin Place since May last year, which aimed to reduce the health and environmental impacts of cigarettes in popular public spaces.
The 12-month trial significantly reduced smoking in the Martin Place area and was well received by the community.In response, the non-smoking areas within Martin Place will be made permanent and extended to include Pitt Street Mall later this year.
Pitt Street Mall is the busiest shopping strip in Australia, and one of the busiest in the world, with more than 65,000 pedestrians each day.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said community response to the smoke free trial on Martin Place had been decisive.
“Four out of five people surveyed said they wanted the Martin Place smoke free trial made permanent and extended to Pitt Street Mall,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This is one of the world’s most popular shopping strips, yet harmful second hand tobacco smoke risks the health of the many children and families who visit.”
“High-rise buildings on both sides of the mall magnify the impact of smokers both congregating in the mall and passing through.”
“This will significantly improve the health of people visiting Pitt Street Mall.”
The public noted their support for the Martin Place smoke-free trial in an online survey that also asked for feedback on extending the trial to other areas. Information about the trial and smoke-free legislation was also made available at the City’s neighbourhood service centres and online.
The weekly count of those observed smoking decreased significantly throughout the trial as well as the total number of discarded butts.
Findings show that 79 per cent of survey respondents indicated both support for the trial and extending the trial to other areas. The City has received frequent complaints about smoking in Pitt Street Mall and requests for smoking to be prohibited there.
Smoking is already prohibited in some areas under NSW legislation, including smoking restrictions up to four metres away from a public building doorway with pedestrian access, such as a shop or retail centre, as well as bus stops.
Smoking in NSW, which has been steadily declining, was reported in 2014 as being a habit of 15.3 per cent of the total population.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Claire Thompson Phone (02) 9265 9582 or email cthompson1@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson. Phone 0499 319 385 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au