jmcbroom

Why can't i eat a bag of peanuts, or any food for that matter in a designated smoking area of a pub if i want to? Whats all that about?

bcworld

Because you live in Queensland?

jmcbroom

so its only up here then?

The Bloke

I thought it was nationwide?

Alfresco

Didn't you know that second-hand smoke adheres to the peanuts and is more lethal when swallowed than if inhaled.

jmcbroom

obviously not or i wouldn't have asked the question

TiddlyPom

emelems

Is this a wind up? Surely not.........

Em x

bcworld

Nope, Qld has the strictest workplace smoking rules in Australia - NO food can be served or consumed in smoking areas.

cresta57

I'll bite:
Because it's a designated smoking area [DOSA] Your only allowed to smoke in one. When the law first came in a lot of venues wouldn't allow you to drink in one, until there were a few drink "spiking" cases from drinks left while patrons went for a quick smoke. The law was quickly amended to allow drinks to be taken into DOSA's.
Fines are issued by the smoke police [Environmental Health Officers] to both the venue & employee, the person breaking the rules is also fined. A win win situation as it then makes all bar staff assistant smoke police or they risk a fine
I've been warned once, not fined, when the law first came in as a patron was eating a bag of nuts in our DOSA.
Pretty simple really smokers stick to one area & those that don't can enjoy clean air. Trade hasn't been affected, it's actually increased as a lot of people now realise pubs & clubs are no longer filled with the stench of smoke or stale tobacco.
Here's the QLD Govt. Web site
It's not only a Queensland law there's no smoking in pubs Australia wide. The technicalities differ state to state though the no eating in smoking areas is pretty much Australia wide as well.

bcworld

Not really...NSW and Vic in particular are laggards when it comes to anti-smoking legislation. In fact I think it's only Qld, NT and ACT that have definitive no eating rules.

http://www.ashaust.org.au/SF'03/law.htm

DeadVim

Yup, you can't even pick bits of steak out of your teeth with your tongue.

Or anyone else's ... but that is an understandable restriction.

bcworld

Are you sure? Certain I've seen that at the Koala Tavern in Capalaba.

jmcbroom

hahahahaha, what is the world coming to??

emelems

**** that!

Em x