Press Release

Cancer Society Auckland

16 December 2014

Auckland needs to follow lead of the world’s most liveable cities

Auckland Council heard submissions yesterday encouraging them to include Smokefree outdoor dining in the upcoming Trading and Events bylaw. The Smokefree outdoor dining campaign has been driven by Cancer Society Auckland and supported by organisations such as Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Te Ara Hā Ora (National Māori Tobacco Control Service) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

In addition Auckland Chamber of Commerce has publically shown its support of the campaign. Chief Executive Michael Barnett, says “As well as health benefits, ratepayers would gain from Council not having to establish and police a separate bylaw and our research shows strong public and industry support for Smokefree outdoor dining elsewhere, especially Australia.”

The majority of the world’s 10 most liveable cities, as determined by the EIU, have committed to Smokefree outdoor dining. “If Auckland wants to remain in the top 10 we simply have to make this decision”,” says John Loof, Chief Executive of Cancer Society Auckland. Councils across Australia have introduced Smokefree by making it a licence condition of outdoor dining leases. The results have been hugely successful with high compliance, coupled with business and public support.

Manly Council in Sydney celebrated 10 years of their bylaw on 4 December, with local outdoor dining expanding by two thirds in that time. “We’ve never looked back since the policy was introduced. It’s been good for our customers, our staff and business, too,” said local Manly restaurateur Mr. Hasan Erman.

Smoking leads to 5000 New Zealanders dying each year from tobacco related diseases. “The increasing popularity and success of Smokefree outdoor dining bylaws overseas is good news for Auckland Council. It’s time for them to act now – it’s the logical next step for implementing their Smokefree policy” says Loof.

Auckland Council will be voting on whether this policy is adopted this Friday.

ENDS

Full release with backgrounder: Smokefree_Outdoor_Dining_Update_Release161214.pdf

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