Over the last 10 years, many Australian workplaces have become smoke-free. The impetus for this came initally from a landmark ruling by the Federal Court (the Morling Judgment, 1991) which concluded that the evidence supported the notion that passive smoke harmed non-smokers. In May 2001, Marlene Sharp, a non-smoking bar worker was awarded common law damages for her throat cancer, due to years of passive smoking.
As well, compensation has been paid to employees due to discomfort and disease caused by passive smoking.
Further information and resources
Smoke-free workplaces in South Australia
SA legislation passed in October 2004, now requires that all enclosed South Australian workplaces, except in licensed hospitality venues where bans will be phased in over the next three years. Information about the legislation is available from http://www.tobaccolaws.sa.gov.au/.
Resources for understanding South Australia's smoke-free workplace legislation.
Every year, people in South Australia are surveyed about a range of health issues. Included in the questions asked relating to tobacco and smoking, are those investigating whether or not their workplaces and workstations are smoke-free. It also records workers' preferences for smoking bans.
From this, we know that the majority (and an increasing propotion) of people in SA work in smoke-free workplaces, and that a mojority prefer that there are smoking bans in the workplace.
[See Chapter 10 of Tobacco Control Research and Evaluation Report Vol 1, 1998-2001, for a summary of this research]
Australian smoke-free workplace links
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
Australia is the primary tobacco control advocacy organisation in Australia. Their website provides a wealth of links of interest to workplaces, and about the rationale for the introduction of smoke-free policies.
Of particular interest are
Information for businesses and workplaces. Click on information for Employers/employees.
Smokefree Australia.
Australian smoke-free legislation links
ASH summary of National Tobacco Legislation
Australian Legal Information Institute [www.austlii.edu.au]
provides access to Australian legislation, cases etc
National Public Health Partnership Legislators Tool Kit [www.dhs.vic.gov.au/nphp/workprog/lrn/legtools.htm]
for National response to passive smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places
Information 
