Yes! Ban smoking in ALL public spaces. Not healthy for anyone and so ugly seeing smokers on streets.
As much as I would like to c a ban smokers have to b able to smoke somewhere. The alternative is 2 stop-selling smokes. Then we would be paying more tax 2 make up lost revenue.
Yes ban smoking in all public places. I am sick of breathing in smoke when walking down the street or while in the park with the kids.
No ban. Enough rules in this world.
We might as well ban ban freedom of speech as well.
Smoking is a choice. Having cancer is not a choice.
Overall, the results of my breakfast survey were 70 per cent in favour of the ban, 30 against.
A similar poll was run in the New Zealand Herald and 43 per cent thought it was an excellent idea and 26 per cent thought it outrageous.
I am a non-smoker, as are all my family members, and there is nothing worse than sitting outside a bar on The Strand or at the Mount on a summer's afternoon enjoying a meal and a glass of my favourite wine, and someone lights up at a table nearby.
Suddenly the fresh, clear summer air is filled with toxic chemicals. It's not nice, although I know smokers don't give a toss.
In fact, I am writing this sitting outside in the sun and someone has just wandered past smoking. The smell is foul.
The smokefree policy in bars was brought in to New Zealand a few years ago and it certainly has worked - but all that has done is force the smokers outside on to the streets, and in summer if you're a non-smoker you are either forced to sit inside or go outside and put up with the smoke. For many, the smoke from cigarettes causes health problems as well, such as bringing on asthma.
Smoking in the office is obviously forbidden, but all that has done is force smokers to congregate outside their place of work. How often have you walked through the fumes of smokers gathered on the footpath or in the foyer outside an office? It's not pleasant.
Or stepped into an elevator with someone who has just finished a cigarette?
A recent study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal found the highest second-hand smoking hazard was at outdoor smoking areas of hospitality venues, followed by areas inside bars, next to outdoor smoking areas.
A recent survey of Mt Smart Stadium patrons showed 90 per cent supported making the sport and entertainment venue smokefree.
A key reason for this proposed ban on smoking in public places is to protect our children from seeing people smoking.
Apparently, the average age a child starts smoking is 14 and some are as young as 11. That's appalling. We need to do something, and not just continue to raise tobacco prices. That's never worked.
I'm sure most would support the ban in no matter what city, but policing it would be another story.
When the smoking ban came into place in bars and restaurants a few years ago, many people thought it would hit patronage. It doesn't appear to have done that. All it's done is forced the smokers outside, to pollute the air there.
