‘Smoke-free': Big call on major tourist strip

Perth Now

30-05-2025

A major thoroughfare running through one of South Australia's star beach suburbs could soon be a smoke-free zone.
Port Adelaide and Enfield councillors voted unanimously this month for a report into making the western section Semaphore Rd, which connects Semaphore Beach and its famous jetty with a line of shops and restaurants, free of cigarettes and vapes.
Semaphore councillor David Wilkins proposed the motion and told NewsWire this week a Semaphore local had asked the council to consider the ban.
'We actually had a local resident reach out to our mayor, who raised the concept of it,' he said.
'The resident is particularly passionate about it because she lost her father in 2020 to sinus cancer, which they have shared with us, was likely caused by passive smoking.
'As a result of that, she's asked whether we can put in smoke free areas, so we're protecting people in the community.'
Semaphore lies in Adelaide's western district, bordering Port Adelaide to the east and West Lakes to the South.
It's a popular tourist spot, with the foreshore clock tower, jetty and steam train rides that run from the beach to Fort Glanville and back all drawing in families from the city and interstate. Semaphore is a popular beachside suburb in Adelaide's west. Duncan Evans / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The proposed smoke-free zone would cover the western section of Semaphore Rd. Google Maps Credit: News Corp Australia
The retro Odean Star cinema also sits on Semaphore Rd alongside eateries like Zambrero and Yo-Chi.
Mr Wilkins said a smoke ban would elevate the strip's attractiveness even further.
'We've got the beach, the cinema, it's very much a place we want to encourage people to come and visit,' he said.
'This proposal would really help create a welcoming environment to come and visit and support our local traders.'
Staffers will now prepare a report and interview businesses on the thoroughfare to gauge their position, including the pubs that serve the strip.
'I think it will likely be supported because it's about encouraging people to come and visit,' Mr Wilkins said.
Staff will also investigate whether the council has the legal authority to implement the proposed ban.
Cancer Council SA senior manager for prevention Christine Morris praised the idea. Semaphore Rd hosts a range of popular eateries. Duncan Evans / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
'It's fantastic to hear that local councils are taking a proactive approach to keeping South Australians safe from the harmful effects of smoking, by making more public spaces smoke-free,' she told NewsWire.
'South Australia is leading the nation in providing smoke-free spaces since new laws were introduced last year and we welcome continued action to protect community members from exposure to second-hand smoking, especially vulnerable people and children.'
Semaphore already has some smoke-free zones.
In 2021, Mr Wilkins organised a ban on smoking outside public buildings such as libraries and community centres.
'It just makes it such a more welcoming and inviting environment,' he said.
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield council areas covers a vast portion of Adelaide's north, stretching from Klemzig in the east to Semaphore in the west and the Osborne naval shipyard in the north.