Ban outs pub smokers

A balcony will be built at the European Bier Cafe overlooking Exhibition St this weekend.

"To keep revenue up, you need to keep the patrons coming in, rather than sending them out on the street where they have to stop talking to their friends and stop socialising," said spokesman Damian Schmidt.

He said the balcony had been planned for about 12 months, since the announcement of the bans.

It is expected to be finished by the end of next week.

The Waterside Hotel on the corner of Flinders and King streets opened a rooftop terrace late last year.

"It's been popular both as an outdoor bar -- everyone loves to have a drink under the stars and in the sunshine -- and also an outdoor smoking area," said spokeswoman Linda Carney.

Ms Carney said the rooftop could be open all year round with heaters and a smoke-free marquee.

Ten licensed venues have applied for permits for outdoor areas this year, according to Melbourne City Council.

Councillor Catherine Ng said applications had been made for ground level outdoor areas as well as for rooftops and balconies.

"It is important from the operators' perspective. There are patrons that smoke and in order to cater to them they want to set up an outdoor area," Cr Ng said.

She said not everyone was well-prepared for the July 1 changes.

"It is still too early to see how many of the licensees have thought through the impact of the smoking laws on their business.

"However many existing premises already have outdoor areas and the smoking laws may not impact on their venue."

The Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association yesterday called for the bans to go further and include smoking in work vehicles.

Its president Dr Doug Travis said: "We have moved to reduce the health risks for office workers yet we have ignored the high risk, confined space of work vehicles."

He congratulated the South Australian Government for banning smoking in vehicles carrying children and called on the Victorian Government to follow suit.

Source: Herald Sun