Businesses are being offered help to declare their outdoor dining areas smoke-free as part of a free Macedon Ranges council scheme.
Macedon Ranges council’s assets and operations director Dale Thornton said businesses signing up to the program would receive shop-front signage and promotion, including in newsletters and social media.
Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle last week proposed a blanket ban on people lighting up outside the CBD’s restaurants and cafes.
Business owners and health experts in Sunbury are also preparing a proposal urging Hume council to ban smoking in the popular O’Shannassy Street dining precinct.
Mr Thornton said while Macedon Ranges council had previously considered a blanket ban on smoking in alfresco areas, its preferred approach was to empower businesses to tackle the problem themselves.
‘‘We are pleased that five businesses have signed up voluntarily and encourage others to do the same,’’ he said.
‘‘Through further promotion and consultation with businesses, we hope that more will see the benefits … for both their staff and their customers.’’
Malmsbury Bakery is among the businesses already signed up for the scheme.
Owner Jan Grant said reaction to the bakery’s smoking ban had been overwhelmingly positive.
‘‘We lost one customer who said if I can’t smoke here I’m leaving, but he hadn’t even ordered a coffee, so I wasn’t too concerned,’’ she said.
‘‘I think people really appreciate the fact they don’t have to worry about someone else’s smoke wafting over.’’
