City council wants smokefree support

SMOKEFREE: The Palmerston North City Council is attempting to make certain areas in Palmerston North smokefree. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Palmerston North City Council hopes the Government will support them when it comes to enforcing smoking bans in outdoor public areas.

The proposal, going forward for the second time, suggests central government should give local councils the power to impose restrictions on council-owned outdoor areas in Palmerston North.

The council is also looking for support from fellow council members and is seeking to make smoking in these specified areas an infringement.

Last year local government supported the remit councillor Lew Findlay presented but no action was taken.

Policy analyst Peter Ridge says the council will be asking bars, cafes and restaurants who have council permits to support them.

"The council has started putting smokefree signs up around council buildings that discourage people to smoke and to educate the public. We eventually want all bars, cafes and restaurants to remove all ashtrays on the tables and chairs outside."

The next step for council is to present the proposal in front of the Metro Sector Meeting for Local Government New Zealand. If they support the remit then it will go to the LGNZ Annual General Meetings, before going to the Government which will discuss the issue and make possible law changes.

The remit proposed by councillor Chris Teo-Sherrell was supported locally with 11 votes to three.

In 2011 the Government adopted a goal to have New Zealand smokefree by 2025. The council believe this latest proposal will contribute to this and protect workers and the public from second-hand smoke, as well as reducing harm caused to individuals. They believe it will also further restrict minors' access to smoking products.

Manawatu Cancer Society's manager Sheryll Hoera says they are 100 per cent supporting the proposal.

"We will be s supporting the council to reach the 2025 Smokefree New Zealand goal."