Bus shelters and Council buildings go Smokefree

Bus shelters across Christchurch, and entrances and exits to Christchurch City Council-owned buildings will be Smokefree after two Council committees endorsed changes to policy today.

In a ground-breaking move, the Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee and the Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee both agreed to changes to the Council's Smokefree Public Places Policy.

Previously the policy, originally approved in 2009, made Council-owned parks, playgrounds, sports fields and events Smokefree.

The Council has over the past few months worked collaboratively with Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), Smokefree Canterbury and the Cancer Society to present options for extending the current policy.

Results of a survey conducted by CDHB's Community and Public Health, reported to both committees, showed a high level of support for Smokefree entrances to buildings (86 per cent of 445 responses) and bus stops (76 per cent).

Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Turner says the Share an Idea process identified the desire for a clean and green community.

"This is a good opportunity to make a stand on this and take action. Christchurch is taking the lead and helping show the way for other councils around the South Island to reach the goal of being Smokefree by 2025," Councillor Turner says.

In March 2011 the Government committed to a goal of New Zealand becoming Smokefree by 2025.

Canterbury and West Coast Cancer Society Manager of Health Promotion and IT Services, Martin Witt congratulated the Council on its bold move.

"The Cancer Society is very pleased both Council committees have supported changes to the Smokefree Policy," Martin Witt said.

"These decisions made today will make Christchurch City Council one of the country's leading councils in promoting Smokefree lifestyles. It is a clear step towards achieving Smokefree New Zealand by 2025," he says.

"This sets a great example for other councils and potentially for other sectors to take a stand and improve the health of the community."

The Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee committed up to $20,500 for installation of signs at bus stops, subject to this amount being included in the Council's Long Term Plan.

Signage will also be placed at the entrances and exits of Council buildings including the Civic Offices, service centres, libraries, community facilities, community halls, museums, leisure centres, recreational centres and arts centres by October 2015.
Smokefree Canterbury, a collection of agencies dedicated to reducing tobacco-related harm in the community, has offered to source signs for no cost.

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