Should smoking be banned in city centres? Push for ciggies to be outlawed in CBDs - sparking a heated clash on Sunrise

Debate has erupted on Sunrise over whether smoking should be banned in Queensland city centres and at pubs following a push from health bodies. 

The Heart Foundation and Cancer Council are urging the incoming Queensland government to prohibit smoking in city centres across the Sunshine State and introduce laws to manage smoke-drift at unit blocks.

The leading health organisations believe greater smoke-free areas and tougher laws will help keep Queenslanders healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Sunrise host David Koch addressed the push on Friday morning and encouraged debate between Edwina Bartholomew, Natalie Barr and 7NEWS reporter Samantha Brett. 

The Heart Foundation and Cancer Council are urging the incoming Queensland government to prohibit smoking in city centres across the Sunshine State and introduce laws to manage smoke-drift at unit blocks. Pictured: Two people sit and smoke in Brisbane

'As a non-smoker, probably a good idea but smoking is still legal,' Kochie begun.

Brett threw her support behind the proposal and said it is a good idea for state governments to review their smoking laws.

'We all know how dangerous it is... Studies do show that people smoke less if there are stricter rules,' she said.

Bartholomew agreed smoking had negative health implications but said the practice itself was not illegal.

'It's not illegal and until it is I think you do actually need a place for smokers to feel like they're not being judged,' she said. 

'We all know the health effects. We all know you shouldn't be smoking. But until it's actually banned full stop, you need to give smokers a space.' 

Barr quickly agreed with Bartholomew's argument.

'While the government is going to steal taxes off smokers, you can't do anything about it I don't think,' she said.

THE HEALTH ORGANISATIONS ARE CALLING FOR:

Banning smoking in city centres across the state;

Introducing laws to manage smoke-drift at unit blocks;

Phasing out designated outdoor smoking areas at pubs and clubs;

Banning under-18s from selling cigarettes;

Removing cigarette-vending machines from licensed venues;

Setting up a tobacco retail licensing scheme to monitor who is selling the drug; and

Banning smoking inside casino high-roller rooms.

Sunrise host David Koch addressed the push on Friday morning and encouraged debate between Edwina Bartholomew , Natalie Barr and 7NEWS reporter Samantha Brett

'Make it illegal if you have that much of a problem.' 

According to figures from Queensland Health, one in nine adults across the state smokes daily.

Smoking damages both the heart and the lungs and early evidence suggests smokers may be more vulnerable to suffering severe illness from COVID-19. 

Exposure to second-hand smoke raises the risk of heart disease by about 30 per cent. 

'Heart disease remains our single biggest killer, and stronger laws to tackle tobacco will be a key part of protecting Queenslanders' heart health,' Heart Foundation Queensland CEO Stephen Vines said.

The leading health organisations believe greater smoke-free areas and tougher laws will help keep Queenslanders healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: A cigarette packet

'Great progress has been made to protect Queenslanders from other people's smoke, but there's still work to be done.

'Making town centres smoke-free will help protect the public from second-hand smoke while encouraging smokers to kick the habit.' 

The health charities are also looking to phase out designated outdoor smoking areas at pubs and remove cigarette-vending machines from licensed venues.

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan said it is vital that smoke-free legislation is supported through strong public communication and enforcement. 

'Smoke-free laws give people the freedom to go to work, study and do other daily activities like walking or playing sport, without being exposed to second-hand smoke,' she said.

'The majority of Queenslanders are now non-smokers, and studies of community attitudes towards smoking have found increasingly high levels of support for broadening restrictions on smoking in Queensland, due to growing awareness of the harms.'

The push comes ahead of the Queensland state election, which will be held on October 31. 

The health charities are also looking to phase out designated outdoor smoking areas at pubs and remove cigarette-vending machines from licensed venues. Pictured: A woman smokes at lunchtime in central Brisbane