AN 18-MONTH grace period for smokers breaking the law ended suddenly in Wagga yesterday.
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Two NSW Health inspectors from Sydney targeted smoking "hot spots" in the city where it is known compliance with anti-smoking laws passed in 2012 is lower.
The railway station, taxi ranks, bus shelters and entrances to buildings were targeted by the inspectors as part of a sweep through country NSW that also includes Albury, Goulburn and Queanbeyan.
The inspectors were enforcing the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, which was amended by NSW Parliament in 2012 to ban smoking in many public places, including spectator areas of sports grounds, public swimming pools, playgrounds and within four metres of a pedestrian access point to public buildings, such as shops.
The aim of the legislation is to reduce smoking and limit second-hand exposure to smoke.
"There are 50 authorised inspectors throughout the state who are conducting ongoing enforcement," Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) tobacco compliance officer Ian Hardinge said.
"The laws have been in place for 18 months and we have been through an education phase where no one has been fined, but we are into the next phase.
"It may involve (for people caught breaking the smoking laws) education, it may involve a caution, but it can also involve a fine."
Inspectors can fine rogue smokers $300.
Five people were fined in Albury on Tuesday, while throughout May and June in other parts of NSW 78 fines and 235 cautions were issued.
The two inspectors in Wagga yesterday cautioned 12 people for smoking on the Wagga railway platform after the 1pm XPT passenger train rolled, around the bus interchange and in front of the station building.
"Most people want to do the right thing," Mr Hardinge said.
"When they are made aware of the legislation they put out their cigarette and move on.
"Changing people's behaviour takes a bit of time.
"There are some people who are genuinely unaware you cannot smoke in these settings.
"Where signage is good and people's awareness of the legislation is reasonably good there is high compliance."
At the moment, the new laws do not include alfresco dining areas, but they will be included from July 6 next year.
However, Wagga City Council's smoke-free outdoor areas policy prohibits smoking in all afresco dining areas under licence with council.
MLHD is working with councils and other owners of properties to put up "no smoking" signs.
And Wagga Base Hospital is about to get tough with people who flaunt its smoking ban on hospital grounds.
People smoking around the front of the hospital has been a problem for years.
MLHD said it has recently amended its by-laws to make it an offence to smoke on any part of its health facilities.
Mr Hardinge said there was no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
NSW Health says the health impacts of smoking cost state taxpayers and estimated $8 billion a year.
It says more than 5300 people die in NSW every year from smoking-related illness and 46,000 people are hospitalised.
Mr Hardinge said Wagga could expect regular visits from inspectors.
*Within 10 metres of children's play equipment in outdoor public places;
*Public swimming pools;
*Spectator areas at sports grounds or other recreational areas used for organised sporting events;
*Public transport stops and platforms;
*Within four metres of a pedestrian access point to a public building.
DOB IN A ROGUE SMOKER: If you think a smoking ban has been broken let NSW Health know at www.health.nsw.gov.au/smokefree. Inspectors get an update on trouble spots once a week.