Cancer Society wants bylaw to ban outdoor smoking areas in Auckland

'Smokefree outdoor dining areas help people who have quit to stay quit.' Photo / Thinkstock

The Cancer Society wants smoking banned by next year at Auckland's publicly owned outdoor dining areas.

In calling for a ban with legal teeth, the society's Auckland division is tagging on to the rewrite and merging of eight street-trading bylaws by the Auckland Council and its transport organisation. A panel of councillors is hearing submissions on the bylaw.

The council's current smokefree policy largely relies on signs and the voluntary restraint of smokers at an increasing number of public places, such as sports fields, train stations and, from next year, civic plazas. But it also commits council members to deciding in 2016 if a bylaw is necessary to achieve the last stages of the plan, making areas including beaches, urban centres and al-fresco dining areas smokefree in 2018.

"A bylaw means you take it more seriously," said Cancer Society Auckland chief executive John Loof.

Smoking was prohibited indoors at bars, restaurants and cafes 10 years ago today by the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act, but is still permitted in outdoor areas.

Outdoor smoking remains unfinished business for the Cancer Society, which is trying to realise the Government's goal of smoking prevalence falling under 5 per cent by 2025.

"Auckland Council have already committed to smokefree outdoor dining by 2018 and including [it] in this bylaw process provides the perfect opportunity to implement it now, in a simple and cost-effective way that is in line with what Aucklanders want," the society said.

An Auckland survey commissioned by the society last year found 30 per cent of smokers and 63 per cent of non-smokers - or 57 per cent when combined - favoured a bylaw approach to smokefree areas.

Aside from the question of compulsion, majorities of smokers and non-smokers alike supported commercial outdoor dining areas being smokefree (58 and 80 per cent respectively).

Fifty-seven per cent said they would be more likely to use outdoor eating places at restaurants, pubs or cafes if they went smokefree, while 34 per cent said it would not affect their likelihood of using them.

"Smokefree outdoor dining areas help people who have quit to stay quit," said Mr Loof. "People who are trying to quit, it makes it easier for them to quit. You don't have outdoor hospitality workers exposed to smoke and you don't have kids at the table next door seeing smoking - it's the denormalising idea as well."

Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said the legislative ban on indoor smoking "hasn't caused too many problems". Many association members in Auckland had voluntarily extended their no-smoking areas outside.

"Many establishments also try to cater to customers who are still smoking ... The industry will do whatever we can to serve our customers. That's what drives hospitality."