Council votes to ban smoking at Koombana Foreshore

City of Bunbury councillor Brendan Kelly said the decision was a win for Bunbury.

"It's a small bite for us - it's not the entire city, it's a good approach," he said.

"This is the beginning of a great public health initiative.

"What I would like to see is a big sign of a dolphin saying 'please this is my home, don't smoke' - it's that type of approach."

Mr Kelly said he hoped more areas around Bunbury would also become smoke-free in the future.

"Importantly it's a reasonable approach, we're not out there to bust people - jumping out from behind trees, it's about education," he said.

The decision has earned the city praise from health organisations including the Cancer Council WA.

Cancer Council WA South West education officer Shenae Norris said it was a great step forward in creating healthier environments within the region.

"It's going to be benefitting those who don't smoke, particularly amongst children and also people who are trying to reduce smoking," she said.

"It's not about the nanny-state argument - it's about promoting healthy environments.

"For people who don't smoke, it's not fair for them to be exposed to second-hand smoke that will increase their risk of lung cancer."

Ms Norris said it was important to have smoke-free areas for the community to enjoy and hoped there would be more across Bunbury in the future.

WA Country Health South West senior health promotion officer Jenny Payet commended the city on their initiative.

"The City of Bunbury has an 18 per cent smoking rate, higher than the state average of 11 per cent and tobacco smoking is the largest cause of preventable hospitalisations in the South-West health region," she said.

"Smoking affects the smoker as well as those around them.

"The City of Bunbury is well positioned to influence smoke-free public places and improved health outcomes for its residents and visitors."