Smokefree Palmy one step closer

Palmerston North's bid to become a smokefree city is slowly becoming a reality with half of the businesses within the inner-city smokefree zone committed to being smokefree.

The businesses who've made the pledge display stickers in their windows and signs have been installed outside council owned facilities and on every bus stop. Butt bins are also being removed from smokefree streets.

The aim is to help residents and visitors improve their health by encouraging people not to smoke in public places, according to Smokefree enforcement officer Julie Beckett.

"Tobacco is highly addictive and helping people to stop smoking is one of the best ways of improving their health."

While the policy is not a bylaw and cannot be enforced, organisers are hopeful with more signage and promotion at public events the message will get through.

"What needs to be clear is this is not about penalising people who smoke -- it's about creating a future where our children and grandchildren will be free from the exposure of tobacco and its use," Ms Beckett said.

Since the implementation of the Smokefree Environments Bill by central government in 1990, controlling smoking in Palmerston North has been a progressive process.

"First smoking was discouraged in the workplace, then in bars and cafes, school and hospital grounds. Outdoor recreation areas, reserves and parks followed and now the focus is on the heart of the city," Ms Beckett said.

Mayor Jono Naylor is also supportive of the smokefree policy.

"By getting onboard they're giving customers a helping hand to improve their health but they're also supporting the vast majority of customers who want to shop and relax in town without cigarette smoke in their face."

At a council meeting on Monday, a recommendation to write to central government asking for more options for enforcement was unsuccessful.