Councillor Glenn Taylor said the laws adopted by council in 2010 were expected to crack down on smoking at shopping centre entrances, but he had seen smokers ignoring the ban.

“We went in with some of the most stringent no-smoking rules in the country,” he said.

“There’s not much point of putting these rules in place if they can’t be enforced.

“It hasn’t been policed and I really don’t know how we can police these things.”

He admitted enforcing the laws may encourage crowds to move away from troubled areas like Post Office Lane, however, he said it could be dangerous for council rangers to issue fines to deter smokers, and police had more important things on their plate.

“We have to accept that they [the rules] are a guide and appeal to people’s sense of decency,” he said.

Cr Taylor said an increased police presence was the secret to tackling ongoing social problems at Post Office Lane.

“Nothing can enforce a message stronger than a police officer in a uniform,” he said.

Cancer Council western region manager Annella Powell said the no-smoking zones were still worthwhile despite not being enforced.

“When council made the policy it was all about self-regulation and helping people understand where they shouldn’t smoke,” she said.

“Slowly people will move away from those areas.

“Fines and staff to police it at this stage isn’t necessary.”

Council spokesman Nick Redmond said feedback indicated the no-smoking areas were working.

“By and large most people comply but there’s always exceptions,” he said.

clare.colley@ruralpress.com