Dubbo smokers who light up in commercial outdoor dining areas risk on-the-spot fines of $300 from Monday, when new laws take force across the state.
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Penalties of up to $5500 will also apply to business owners found with a patron having a cigarette where food is being served, NSW Health has advised.
Venues at Dubbo said they were ready for the laws to come into effect, while health authorities said research showed a clear majority of people were in favour of smoke-free commercial outdoor dining areas.
NSW Health is reminding the community that from Monday the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 will include all seated commercial outdoor dining areas in hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes.
Its messaging through radio, digital and social media was letting people know that the ban would apply to all hospitality venues and to all smoking devices including cigarettes, pipes and water pipes.
Western NSW Local Health District acting director of population health Lyndal O'Leary said there was a high level of public support for the change.
"Our research shows that four out of five people are strongly behind smoke-free commercial outdoor dining areas, together with a ban on smoking within four metres of an entrance to a hospitality venue," Ms O'Leary said.
"Many businesses have already voluntarily banned smoking in their outdoor dining areas, with positive results."
The reform was announced by the NSW government more than three years ago and the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club has used the time since to prepare.
"We are pretty comfortable with the legislation and are working with the local health district to make sure we're on the right track," RSL club human resources manager Rebecca Zaia said.
"We've already rolled out staff training and we are ready to go as of Monday. We cater for both smokers and non-smokers and already have signage up educating customers."
Commercial Hotel owner Greg Pilon said the business, which he took on two years ago, was ready for the laws, and the design of renovations completed last year had taken them into account.
"Our big beer garden has always been non-smoking from day one, so there will be no change there," he said.
"People used to be able to eat in the smoking laneway, now they won't be able to, but there will be plenty of room for them (to eat in the hotel)."
Cancer Council NSW welcomed the expansion of smoke-free environments.
"Cancer Council applauds and recognises the work of the NSW government for taking this crucial step to remove smoking from outdoor dining areas which will protect patrons, staff and the whole community from toxic second-hand smoke when dining outdoors," Cancer Council western region community programs co-ordinator Camilla Barlow said.
"Breathing in second-hand smoke is not just an unpleasant experience, it can also lead to some serious life-threatening health problems including cancer, heart disease, asthma and stroke."
NSW Health has invited businesses to register on health.nsw.gov.au/smokefree for updates and to order free materials including an industry guide and mandatory outdoor 'no smoking' signage.