Shoppers fume over Riverlink smokers
IPSWICH shoppers have used the announcement of a smoking ban at Ipswich City Mall to call for a smoking crackdown at Riverlink shopping centre.
QT Facebook users reported smokers ignoring signs at the shopping centre and "lighting up anywhere they want", as well as complaining about the enforcement of the policy.
A spokeswoman for Riverlink, which prohibits smoking in all interior areas, said the security team "polices smoking as much as is physically possible."
She conceded that some people did ignore clear signs.
"We do often find people standing underneath a no-smoking sign smoking or too close to entries," the spokeswoman said.
"We have no authority to fine people and we rely on our customers to do the right thing," she said.
We have no authority to fine people and we rely on our customers to do the right thing.
There is an ashtray at each entry point and clear signage indicating where smoking is and is not permitted, she said.
"Smoking is not permitted within 20m of each entry and anywhere in the centre... our security team will enforce."
One walkway at Riverlink, which is a partly designated smoking area, has been nicknamed "Smokers' Alley.
The walkway is located on the rail line-side of the Rivers and Crazy Clark's building.
Non-smokers avoid the area known as Smokers' Alley, the spokeswoman said.
But QT Facebook users insisted more needed to be done.
One Facebook user said they were "looking at changing (their) shopping centre" because of the smell and dropped butts near Rivers and the rail line.
"They need to police smoking at Riverlink... there are smoking areas and yet nothing is done to stop people from lighting up anywhere they want," another added.
There are smoking areas and yet nothing is done to stop people from lighting up anywhere they want.
Another user asked whether the Ipswich City Mall ban would be enforced, stating "let's see if they enforce it".
Across the Bremer River, a smoking ban will come into effect in the Ipswich City Mall on Friday, February 1.
The ban will also apply to D'Arcy Doyle Place and at taxi zones and bus stops.
