Smoking ban sought for much of Auckland

06:34 AEST Thu Jan 19 2012

AAP

Health experts want smoking bans extended across Auckland (Thinkstock)

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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.

Do you think smoking should be banned in public places? Have your say below.

User comments

gee what has mr helen clarke and sue bradford made this country where you cant have asmoke in a bar now the over paid thick white collar criminals sit back and play god enough is enough ,we should all stand up and say screw the anti smoking lobbiest as well as quite line and ash ,if the goverment want to stop smoking how about they stop accepting the money from tabbaco companies as they just hand it to the ex smokers who think cause they quite every ine should well i say screw you ,john keys grow a pair you ballless wounder

Smoking is nothing compared to witnessing a morbidly obese person with clothes that barely fit him, so I end up seeing this huge bum crack bulging out while sitting at a cafe and eating fatty food. When I see that I'm put off going to these places and touching their food. We can have a smokefree country but it will be a obese country.

The govenerment and all of the do gooders out there, should be thinking about banning drinking as well. Both are bad as each other to a degree. Yes smoking can kill, but what about all off the pollution that cars and factories put into the air we breath. As far as i am concerned they help people to die as well. This is taking it abit to far. So what about drinking as well. Doesn't that kill people too. People go out to have a good time, then get into a car, totally drunk and end up killing poor innocent people and children. But no the government won't really do anything about alcohol because it seems to be more acceptable than smoking. It doen't matter what they do, children will still smoke no matter what and no one will stop them. This country might as well go communist seen as our freedom of choice is being taken away from us. I am a 5th european generation in this country and my grandfather who fought in both wars for NZ would be ashamed off our freedom being taken away from us.

Well here go the do goods yet again, boy they are still barking up the wrong tree as usual, there is a lot of other MORE IMPORTANT things wrong with society than smoking, lets see how many I can name, MURDER, CHILD ABUSE, DRUGS, TRAFFIC POLLUTIONS, RUBBISH DUMPING IN OUR RIVERS AND ON OUR BEACHES, TOXIC WASTE, BULLING IN WORK AND SCHOOLS, SPEEDING WHICH KILLS, the list goes on and on but not you want to pick on the smokers, trust me if they all gave up, guess who's taxes would go up YOURS, may I suggest you all get lives and deal with what is really important, there is more to pick on not only in New Zealand but in the world now that really has more problems to worry about than the smokers

People talk about 'right's.. the 'right' to smoke outdoors. I think that's an incredibly selfish view to take. What about the rights of an asthma sufferer waiting at the bus stops and people are puffing away on ciggerettes? What about the rights of the poor kids subjected to second hand smoke whilst playing at a park that was designed for their use? People who chose this disgusting habit made their choice. So why should other adults & Children who were smart enough to remain smoke-free have to suffer and put up with second smoke and health risks at a smokers expense? You want to smoke, then you smoke in your own home. Don't whinge and moan because you want everyone else to accommodate your habit.

hi.i would just like to add that i am a smoker (and have been for many years)but i totally agree with the non smokers 100%.i have always believed that it was wrong to inflict my addiction on anyone else(outside my wee secluded smoking rrom at the back of my house),especially in public areas where children are often around.It makes me sicl to think that I could be responsilbe for a person to get sick thrpugh the actions of my own stupidity..Therefore i think we all need to be able to show each and every human being on this planet a little respect.i just wish i was strong enough to beat this filthy habit!I can only keep trying!!!

I am a 55 year old female and have never smoked it disgusts me. However I think about our old diggers who went through the world wars. Having a smoke in the trenches must have been such a comfort to these men who were far from their loved ones and far from their homes, and yes these men fought for our freedom to make choices. I do think it would be nice if I didn't have to smell smoke in shop doorways it is not very nice for us non smokers to have to put up with that, but there should be designated smoking areas that cater for smokers ensuring they have somewhere to throw their butts etc. We need to compomise and not be one eyed about this after all society is made up of smokers and non smokers.

This is pathetic shouldn't Auckland be more worried about child abuse sexual abuse leave us smokers alone no wonder we are all leavin accros the ditch this country is an absolute joke you can take stuff from kiwis but we will goto our big brother ausie better life style then this pathetic crap just a joke p.s. that blonde chick is sexy with thatciggy in her mouth

I think people need to let go of the little things and focus on the more important issues that threaten our world. Trying to control peoples lives to the finest of details in an intrusion on our rights. If smoking in public places is really such an issue, supply appropriate covered areas with ashtrays and seating. There's really no need to have such a big debate over the issue, it's easily fixed, banning something like this will only result in aggravating alot of people, and unless you want crime to really take off, you'd be wise to let the small things slide. We're all the same, some of us smoke, others over eat and yet you don't hear ppl complaining about having to look at hugely obese people shoving food in their mouths, or asking to have crack addicts taken off the street because they look so terrible... Live and let live, it's a no wonder this world is as it is, with all you people so desperate to control everything. There's more to life than judging and controlling others.

Its about time we caught up with the rest of the world!!! Too many people smoke here and they are inconsiderate to the people around them. While I was pregnant, I could barely stand to breathe anywhere in the city. It was either smokers fumes or car fumes. Both are bad but smoking isnt for anything. Atleast cars are a form of transport. I havent experienced this in any other country (and I have been to quite a few). Its about time people quit. Its time to man up Auckland

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