Aucklanders could be banned from smoking in parks, outside galleries and
libraries and at council-organised events if health groups get their way.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service is leading the charge on a new
giant smoking ban in all public outdoor areas across the city which is designed
to stop children getting addicted.
The proposal, backed by the Auckland,
Counties-Manukau and Waitemata district health boards, urges Auckland Council
to take the bold step, and expresses disappointment the city's new draft plan
doesn't address the issue, The New Zealand Herald reports.
"We are disappointed that the council's commitment to having smoke-free
public spaces is lacking in the Draft Plan, and believe a smoke-free policy
that covers the entire Auckland Council region should be implemented to ban
outdoor smoking in order to protect children from second-hand smoke .. and
ultimately to prevent uptake of smoking among young people," Andy Roche
and Dr Lavinia Perumal from the health service write in their proposal.
The plan is in line with a request from the Cancer Society to restrict
smoking in all council parks, open spaces, sports fields and playgrounds, as
well as in malls and pedestrian areas.
Efforts last year to introduce smoking bans in front of buildings as well as
near bus stops, ferry wharves and train stations all failed, and all decisions
on bans were deferred to the city's 21 local boards.
Just over half have adopted SmokeFree Auckland policies, which initially ban
smoking in playgrounds and parks, and board support for smokefree bus and train
stations is high.
Public support is also growing to make sport and entertainment venues like
Mt Smart Stadium smokefree, the Cancer Society said.
NZN