Pubs lobbied to go smoke-free

MAJOR health groups have appealed to bars and clubs to help smokers quit in 2006 by adopting a smoke-free environment.

Quit's executive director Todd Harper said socialising and working in smoke-free environments helped people to butt out.

"There is clear evidence that shows us that by making bars and clubs smoke-free we can help people quit, or even prevent them from taking up smoking in the first place," he said in a statement.

"With so many smokers making quitting their New Year's resolution it is a perfect time."

Meanwhile, VicHealth said the workplaces and venues that went smoke-free in the New Year would prove popular with employees and patrons.

"In the last few years we have seen a huge increase in public support for tobacco control initiatives and smokefree environments," said chief executive Rob Moodie.

"People across the state will be pleased with efforts by either their workplace, or the places they socialise to protect them from harms caused by tobacco."

Victorian tobacco reforms introduced in 2005 will mean that from March 2006 all Victorian workplaces will be smoke-free and from July 2007 all licensed venues will be smoke-free.