Blenheim Cafès go #smokefreeallday

Café and restaurants in Marlborough are being challenged to make their outdoor dining areas smokefree all day for World Smokefree Day on Tuesday 31 May.

The Marlborough Cancer Society and Nelson Marlborough Health’s Public Health Service are working with the Smokefree Marlborough Coalition to expand smokefree community spaces in Marlborough.

Anna Small from the Cancer Society says they are encouraging Marlborough businesses to go smokefree voluntarily.

“Cafes and restaurants like Gramado’s, Brancott Estate Heritage Centre and Raupo have been completely smokefree for a number of years and are great examples of how smokefree policy can be implemented successfully,” says Anna.

Gramado’s owner, Saulo Camillo Nunes says they wanted to create the ultimate dining experience for their customers and that smoking has no part in this.

“Our customers have responded positively, with some customers calling us to commend our decision to be smokefree,” he says.

The smokefree all day initiative is a way of raising awareness and getting the community on board.

Smokefree supporters believe by taking small steps within our own families, schools, workplaces and communities, Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal can become a reality. They advocate using a range of strategies such as reducing the number of young people who start smoking, strengthening tobacco control strategies and increasing the number of people who quit successfully.

Health Promoter Felicity Spencer says the 2025 goal is aspirational.

“It’s about making a commitment to our children and grandchildren to be free from exposure to tobacco and tobacco use. It will mean that less than 5 per cent of our population will smoke and tobacco will be difficult to sell and supply.

“While there is a long way to go, we can already see positive results and progress towards achieving this,” Felicity says.

The 2013 census results show a 5.6 per cent drop in national smoking rates since 2006.

Felicity says it is important to get the smokefree message out and to support the 2025 goal:

“I encourage people to make their homes and cars smokefree spaces and ask their friends and whānau not to smoke around children.”

She says talking to children and whānau about being smokefree can help, even if you are a smoker.

“It’s about raising the awareness of why it’s important to be smokefree, to stay healthy and be there for your whānau. Quitting is not easy but there are many strategies and tools to support the quit journey.”

Visit www.smokefree.org.nz to support Smokefree 2025. For free local support to quit smoking call Te Hauora o Ngati Rarua on 03 577 8404, phone Quitline 0800 778 778 or contact your local GP.

Contact the Cancer Society to find out how businesses can be #smokefreeallday.

ends

© Scoop Media