State toughens anti-smoking laws

NEW South Wales has toughened its anti-smoking laws by banning smoking from its playgrounds, public sports grounds, swimming pools, transport stops and entrances to public buildings.

However, the high rollers room at Sydney’s Star casino will remain exempt from the laws, Sydney media report.

The NSW Upper House last night (Wednesday) voted for the government’s suite of new smoking bans, which will begin in January.

The new laws will also ban smoking in outdoor dining areas from 2015.

But a Labor amendment to include The Star in the smoking ban was voted down, after MPs from

The Christian Democrats’ Fred Nile says he did not support a smoking ban for The Star because he had been assured no casino worker would be forced to work in the high rollers room.

Mr Nile’s comments come after he met with James Packer, who owns a stake in The Star through his Crown casino group.

Greens MP John Kaye says The Star exemption does not respect the health and safety of people working in the high rollers rooms, according to reports.