By law and popular demand the Queensland Government has introduced the nation’s toughest anti-smoking laws, and this had an effect on my washing and showering habits. Typically, if I’ve been on a night out in the town, I’ll return home with my body, hair and clothes smelling like an ashtray.

If my hair smells like smoke, it will take me twice as long to shower as I usually have to wash my hair twice. Also, my jeans will need to go in the wash if I want to wear them again the following night. If every weekend that I go out, i wash my hair twice and put on a load just to wash my jeans, I’ll be consuming more water than is necessary.

If someone was to work this all out there would be a significant saving across the state each year. Just imagine how much water I use for the extra 3 mins it takes for to wash my hair twice, and how much extra water i use just to put on the smallest load to wash jeans. If a large number of people, in my demographic, does this once a fortnight each year, then these new smoking laws are helping more than just our lungs. Brisbane and Logan are on a level 3 water restriction which is a total ban on outdoor hosing.

From the Queensland Government Tobacco Laws web page:

Indoor Smoking Bans
The whole enclosed area of liquor licensed premises must be no-smoking.

Poker Machines
All poker machines at a liquor licensed premises must be no-smoking.

Outdoor Smoking Bans
Non-enclosed eating and drinking areas where food or drink is provided as part of a business, must be no-smoking.

Pubs, clubs and casinos may set aside Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas where only smoking and drinking can occur. These areas must be under the control of a Smoking Management Plan for the venue.