A permanent ban of smoking in Pitt Street Mall has been welcomed by major retailers in the popular shopping strip.

As of Monday September 26 2016, Pitt Street Mall will be a smoke-free zone, following a successful trial in Martin Place and several requests from major retailers.

City of Sydney CEO, Monica Barone, said that Pitt Street Mall is one of the world’s most popular retail strips, with more than 65,000 pedestrians visiting daily, but shoppers are being turned off by the stench of second-hand smoke and the associated health risks.

“The City has been regularly contacted by major retailers that were impacted by second-hand smoke wafting into their stores,” Ms Barone said.

“For some businesses, operating in Pitt Street Mall at certain times of the day had become unpleasant and unhealthy for their staff and customers.

“Our own research throughout the Martin Place smoke-free trial showed that four out of five respondents support the trial and wanted it permanently extended to other areas, including Pitt Street Mall.

“The fact that Pitt Street Mall is surrounded by a number of buildings seems to trap the smoke in the area and magnify the effects of second-hand smoke.

“This isn’t about revenue raising. This is about responding to the expectations of an overwhelming number of residents, visitors, workers and businesses.

“This is about giving people the right to walk through one of the world’s most well-frequented retail strips without being confronted by harmful second-hand smoke.”

In November 2015, the City received a request from Microsoft to remove a bench and rubbish bin from the front of their flagship store ahead of the grand opening, as it had become a congregation point for smokers in the mall.

Shoppers were regularly confronted with a wall of smoke when entering or exiting the store.

Businesses said that the mall would become a more attractive and welcoming environment to the tens of thousands of daily visitors.

“We couldn’t be happier that the City has listened to our calls for Pitt Street Mall to go smoke-free. As a community pharmacist, we know the dangers that second-hand smoke poses and this will create a healthier environment for all,” said Soul Pattinson Chemist Managing Pharmacist, Linda Le.

The City will undertake a high-visibility awareness campaign in Pitt Street Mall in support of the ban.