EXPRESS The
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Locally owned and proudly independent
Blast from the past
TABLELANDS residents were treated to a visual history lesson last weekend when hundreds turned out to see a plethora of wartime relics at the Mareeba Military Muster. Vehicles, weapons, equipment and uniforms were all on display at the Mareeba Turf Club, exciting youngsters like Kyden Musumeci, 11 (pictured). Held for the past eight years in Ravenshoe, the muster is showing no signs of slowing down as it continues to pay tribute to the region’s former servicemen and women. FULL STORY - PAGE 7
PHOTO BY PETER ROY.
Smoking laws branded ‘ridiculous’ By Michael Serenc A TABLELANDS tobacco identity has slammed Queensland’s new suite of smoking laws, arguing the government would be better off banning cigarettes than continuing to penalise those who lit up. Former Dimbulah tobacco farmer Remzi Mulla failed to see the point of the new legislation introduced last Thursday, which bans smoking within five metres of bus stops, taxi ranks, skate parks, and a swathe of health and education facilities.
Smoking punters will also be pushed back 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting events “Make it illegal to smoke and be done with it,” Mr Mulla said. “It’s ridiculous…I think they’re really going overboard.” Smoking within 10 metres of in-use campsites and any public facilities such as picnic tables, toilet blocks barbecues, visitor information centres, shelters, jetties and boat ramps will also be banned from February 1 next year. Mr Mulla, who was chairman of the former Tobacco Leaf Marketing Board, questioned why
the government had been so quick to crackdown on smoking when alcohol and illicit drugs posed an even greater risk to public health. “The biggest problem we have in this country at the moment, be it with car accidents or domestic violence, is drinking and drugs,” he said. “Politically, it’s better for the government to be seen rubbishing smokers than drinkers. “They’re penalising the wrong product.” Mr Mulla believed individuals should still have the right to make their own lifestyle choices. “There’s a lot of things that aren’t good for you but I think people need to make their own
1911 Resta u ra n t
MALANDA
Friendly Atmosphere and Affordable Family Meals!
NOW OPEN SUNDAYS TILL 5PM
PHONE: 4096 5284
FAX: 4096 6136
Email: malanda@spar.com.au
2-10 English St, Malanda
TRADING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 6PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 8AM - 5PM
choices,” he said. State Health Minister Cameron Dick defended the new laws. “We’ve gone from 30 per cent of adults smoking daily to 12 per cent in 15 years, and encouragingly, the number of teenagers smoking has dropped from 24 per cent to 6 per cent over the same period, so the message is getting through,” Mr Dick said. “While market research shows most smokers try and do the right thing when it comes to where they smoke, these new smoke-free areas will serve to firm-up protection for non-smokers.”
PHONE 4096 5101
OPEN MONDAY - SUNDAY • Breakfast & Lunch: 10.00am-2.00pm • Dinner: Monday to Thursday 6.00-8.00pm Friday and Saturday 6.00-8.30pm TAKEAWAYS AVAILABLE!