Tasmanians are being urged to use wood heaters responsibly to cut down on smoke which can worsen health conditions including asthma and heart disease.
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Public Health director Mark Veitch said smoke reduced air quality and affected some people's health.
"The smaller particles in wood smoke can be breathed deeply into our lungs and even enter the bloodstream," Dr Veitch said.
"This can worsen conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema and heart disease."
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EPA Tasmania's John Innis said the amount of smoke coming from a wood heater depended on its age and type, but also on how it was operated.
"To reduce smoke, make sure you always burn with a flame; don't let your fire smoulder," Dr Innis said.
"After reloading, open the air control and burn your fire on high for 20 minutes, especially before retiring for the night.
"Only burn dry, seasoned wood and make sure the flue is clean."
He advised wood heater users to go outside from time to time to check how much smoke was coming from their chimneys.
"If it is regularly producing a lot of smoke even with good operation, you may need to have your heater checked," Dr Innis said.
More information about how to use wood heaters responsibly and reduce smoke pollution can be found on the EPA's Burn Brighter this Winter web pages.
According to the Health Department, people at higher risk of health problems from breathing smoky air are:
- people with asthma or any kind of lung problem;
- people with other chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes or who had had a stroke;
- older people, especially over 65s;
- babies and children, especially under fives; and
- pregnant women
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