Fresh air zones popping up
Fresh air zones are popping up all over Napier and Hastings, after the two councils passed a joint Smokefree Policy in
November
Hastings District councillor Sandra Hazlehurst said the message is not anti-smoking, rather it is about ensuring people
can have access to outdoor areas that are smoke free, particularly children and diners.
The new smoke-free fresh air zones include all bus stops and bus shelters, the entrances to public buildings such as the
council offices and libraries, café dining areas on pavements, council-owned sports, and playgrounds and reserves in
Hastings and Napier.
In Hastings the smoke-free areas also include the central city square, around the water feature and town clock. Events
supported by the councils will also be encouraged to be smoke free.
The policy was developed after a survey by the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board showed nearly 97 per cent of people
thought children’s playgrounds should be smoke-free; 80 per cent thought entrances to public buildings should be
smoke-free, and almost 80 per cent wanted outdoor dining areas to be smoke-free. Between 70 per cent and 79 per cent of
people wanted bus stops and train stations, parks and sports fields, and outdoor music and sporting events to be
smoke-free.
The policy consultation showed most smokers do not want their smoke to affect other people and are happy to move away
from these areas if they do want to light up. There are no fines or penalties for breaking the policy rules. Rather the
policy is about providing more smoke free spaces.
“This really is a positive move and given the response to the survey, including smokers, was to keep these areas smoke
free, I’m sure we will see a very good voluntary compliance,” said Napier City councillor Michelle Pyke.
Signs advising of smoke free areas will be gradually installed over the next 12 months.
To view the full Policy visit www.napier.govt.nz or www.hastingsdc.govt.nz
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