NSW: Sydney becomes world's passive smoking capital

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2001
NSW: Sydney becomes world's passive smoking capital

Sydney has became the passive smoking capital of the world, following the effects of
the bushfires.

Smoke left many Sydneysiders coughing and groping around in half-darkness today, with
a heavy grey blanket from the bushfires ringing the city.

It descended like a massive shroud, reducing visibility in some instances to 20 metres.

Harbourside residents had trouble making out hazy landmarks like the bridge and Opera
House, while Centrepoint tower and the city skyline could not be seen from a few kilometres
away in the inner west.

The great bank of smoke also rolled through the CBD, with one office worker saying
it felt like she was in Mexico City.

The smoke was so thick it set off an unusually high number of false alarms in office
buildings, wasting valuable time and resources.

And poor runway visibility forced seven planes away from Sydney airport.

AAP RTV dc/jtb

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW (SYDNEY)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.