NSW: Lighting up at the bar to become a thing of the past

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NSW: Lighting up at the bar to become a thing of the past

Propping yourself up at the bar with a beer and a cigarette is set to become a thingof the past, with the New South Wales government banning smoking in pub and club counterareas.

But while the anti-smoking lobby has cheered the move, it's disappointed no deadlinehas been set for the full-scale banning of indoor smoking.

The ban will kick in from January 1, 2003 stopping smokers from lighting up at counterareas and will also require designated non-smoking areas be set up.

Health Minister CRAIG KNOWLES has given clubs and pubs until July 1, 2003 to implementthe bans which also require multiple-bar venues to establish a smoke-free bar area.

They will then have another year to implement further bans including establishing specialsmoke-free rooms for pool and bowls.

Australian Hotels Association president JOHN THORPE says the drinking public will cometo see counter bans like the now standard eating area bans.

AAP RTV swe/jas

KEYWORD: SMOKE (SYDNEY)