5 April 2019

Porirua City has expanded its smokefree areas to include beaches, the city centre and all Council-owned and managed sites.

The recommendation was made on Thursday morning by the City Delivery Committee and will go to full Council for adoption on 17 April.

Vaping and e-cigarette bans are also included in the updated Smokefree Outdoor Public Places Policy, which was first introduced in 2010, but covered only sportsfields and playgrounds.

City Delivery Committee chairperson Anita Baker says the policy continues the Council’s commitment to provide healthy environments for children and young people.

It also contributes to the Government’s goal of a smokefree New Zealand by 2025.

In Porirua, there are higher rates of smoking than the national average – 17 per cent compared to 14 per cent.

“Our parks, beaches and city centre are places for our children to be active, healthy and enjoy,” Ms Baker said.

“It’s not appropriate they should also be exposed to people smoking.”

Ms Baker said the Council is relying on the public’s desire to set role-modelling, in keeping with the societal changes across New Zealand.

Requests from the public, along with recent submissions from Regional Public Health and Cancer Society Wellington, led to Council reviewing our smokefree policy.

The expanded smokefree areas now include the city centre and Cobham Court, beaches, skateparks, bus stops and shelters, train stations, and within 10 metres of entrances to Council-owned facilities.

Signage reminding the public of the smokefree policy will be placed in the new areas, but not likely at beaches due to the number of signs that would be needed.

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