NorthTec staff fire up at smokes

The Stoptober campaign started at NorthTec's Raumanga campus last October (above) but the decision not to make the tertiary institute smokefree has angered some staff. Photo / File

NorthTec has limited where smoking is allowed on its Raumanga campus, but many staff remain "furious" it refuses to go entirely smokefree.

The polytech previously had two areas where smoking was allowed - a courtyard and a gazebo located between the nursing school, cafeteria and classrooms. This week smoking was limited to just one isolated area near the back of the campus further away from classrooms.

The Northern Advocate understands a shelter, which cost about $12,000, was almost complete to house the smokers.

"The creation of the new smoking area has freed up areas and facilities that were previously designated for smokers for all students to enjoy," NorthTec chief executive Paul Binney said.

Mr Binney stood by previous comments that banning smoking would mean students and staff smoking off campus which was not a good look.

He understood some were unhappy but that did not change his position.

"We listen to all views, but then decisions have to be made," Mr Binney said. It was inevitable in an organisation the size of NorthTec, with over 400 staff and 8000 students, that not everyone agreed, he said. That applied to other policies and procedures too, not just the smokefree issue.

Tertiary Education Union representative Chan Dixon said at least 10 "furious" staff had contacted her about the issue.

Despite concerns around health and the reputation of the school, management was refusing to budge, Ms Dixon said.

"If anything there feels to have been a bit of a trench mentality," she said. "I think they've dug their toes in."

Ms Dixon pointed out that the large majority of universities and polytechs around the country were smokefree.

At the Tobacco Control Hui late last month Northland District Health Board's Kim Tito said it was a "shame" NorthTec would not go smokefree.

In 2011 the Government set a goal of reducing the rate of smoking to five per cent or less by 2025.