Adelaide City Council will continue the Outdoor Dining No Smoking Incentive Scheme which rewards permit holders with a financial advantage when they remove smoking from their outdoor dining areas.
A successful trial of the scheme ran from August 2011 to August 2012 and offered outdoor dining permit holders a 50% discount on annual permit fees to eliminate smoking in their outdoor dining areas.
“The trial gave permit holders the option to make their outdoor dining areas smoke-free and judging by the uptake over the trial period, traders and diners have really embraced the concept,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.
“Outdoor dining helps bring vibrancy and culture to the city and encourages more people to come into the city and stay longer.”
Those who took advantage of the incentive provided overwhelmingly positive feedback for the scheme and showed support for the continuation of the initiative.
“It’s great that the scheme is continuing. I know my customers really appreciate having a smoke free environment,” said Marcus Breach owner of Grass Roots in Pirie Street.
“Noone wants to sit around people smoking while they’re eating but the financial incentive to keep outdoor dining smoke free makes it even more worthwhile!” he said.
Fee discounts will reduce on a sliding scale until 2016 when the State Government’s proposed revised outdoor smoking legislation is scheduled to come into effect.
“This is a great scheme: giving permit holders an incentive to make their outdoor dining areas smoke-free is an innovative way to help people make healthier lifestyle choices,” said Professor Brenda Wilson, Chief Executive, Cancer Council SA.
One amendment to the Outdoor Dining Policy requires that future installation of glass screens and plastic blinds will only be considered if the applicant agrees to make their Outdoor Dining area smoke free.
Reducing red tape and simplifying processes for local businesses is another way Council is encouraging business owners to think creatively about the future.
Related articles
- It's Official – Rundle Mall Is Now Smoke-Free! (glamadelaide.com.au)
More News
