New Zealand: Auckland Council Approves Wide Smoking Ban

Source from:  TVNZ  07/24/2013

A smoking ban that could see cigarettes stubbed out on Auckland beaches, in outdoor dining areas and around sports clubs has this afternoon passed a final council vote.

Following in the footsteps of New South Wales, which has some of the world's strongest anti-smoking policies, Auckland council's Regional Development Committee today voted to implement smoking bans to be rolled out over five years.

The smokefree proposals are broken down into three stages, the first of which will come into effect from July. This will see a smoking ban in place for outdoor facilities such as stadiums, swimming pools, playgrounds, skate parks, sport fields, parks and reserves, public outdoor areas associated with the councils, and transport areas.

The second, to take effect from May 31, 2015, will include a smoking ban on shared spaces, all plazas and civic squares.

Subject to a policy review in 2015, the third stage includes a smoking ban on areas around sports clubs, al fresco dining areas, urban centres, public beaches and common areas of council housing by May 31 2018.

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Councillor Sandra Coney said the policy was a huge step forward for the city.

 "An Auckland-wide smoke-free policy will create a healthier, more enjoyable city for all of Auckland's residents and visitors, especially our children."

The Cancer Society has been heavily involved in making recommendations to the council, based on findings of a recent study showing the majority of Aucklanders want the bans to be in place by mid-2016.

The group's health promotion manager Beth Jenkinson said while the ban was a really important move for New Zealand's health, she wanted it to be implemented earlier.

"We want that time frame to be brought forward, in line with what the public want," she told TV ONE's Breakfast.

The survey found the public strongly supported earlier implementation (65%) of the policy than had been proposed in the draft policy released in May 2013.

Ms Jenkinson said the council were looking at a voluntary approach to policing the bans.

"[That's] lot's of signage and being reliant on people in the community to enforce it."

"There is an option for a bylaw and that's certainly what we are pushing for." Enditem