Have your say on smoke-free shared living and help shape WA’s Strata Laws

If you live in an apartment, unit, villa, or townhouse, you’ve probably had to deal with the joys of shared living – thin walls, tight parking spots, and the occasional whiff of your neighbour’s cooking.

But what happens when it’s not just the smell of food drifting your way, but secondhand smoke?

Good news: the State Government is reviewing WA’s strata laws for the first time in five years, and you can have a say in what happens next.

From now until October 31, a consultation is running (head here to check it out) and you’re invited to chime in with your experiences of living in strata properties, particularly if you’ve had issues with secondhand smoke.

It’s a rare chance to ask for stronger protections for non-smokers through updated by-laws that could help solve the problem.

Secondhand smoke

Look, we get it. Smoking is a personal choice. But for non-smokers, especially those in close living quarters, secondhand smoke isn’t just a nuisance – it’s a health risk. Smoke can travel through open windows, along balconies, up stairwells, or even sneak in through shared air-con systems.

And there’s no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. It can lead to all sorts of serious health problems, from cancer and heart disease to breathing difficulties and asthma – especially for kids, pregnant women, and people with respiratory issues.

Have your say

Cancer Council WA is calling on you to share your stories about how secondhand smoke has affected your strata living. Whether it’s a smoky balcony next door or clouds of smoke drifting into your living room, your voice could help create a future where WA’s strata properties can go smoke-free, if the residents want it.

The goal? Model by-laws that could ban smoking in common areas and in situations where it’s impacting others. It’s not about telling people what to do in their private space, it’s about giving everyone a fair go when it comes to fresh air.

Other states

New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria already have laws in place to tackle smoking in strata properties, meaning WA is a little behind on this one. But with this review, there’s a real shot at catching up and making it easier for strata complexes to create healthier, smoke-free environments for everyone.

The benefits

It’s not just about protecting non-smokers; going smoke-free can help encourage smokers to cut down and make more attempts to quit. Plus, who doesn’t want a cleaner, healthier living space? So, whether you’re fed up with secondhand smoke or just want to see healthier strata communities in WA, now’s your chance to speak up.

Head to the consultation landing page and let’s push for change that makes living in strata properties a whole lot better for everyone.

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This article is sponsored by Cancer Council WA and endorsed by us. Please see our Editorial Policy for more info.