Mai said the council was committed to the goal of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025.
"By declaring our taonga of Parihaka and the War Memorial smokefree and vapefree, we show we care for our people and our precious places."
Mai said reducing the numbers of people smoking when walking or cycling along Parihaka protected all visitors to the maunga from second-hand smoke, as well as other negative environmental effects, like the littering of cigarette butts and packets.
The day was the perfect time to launch council's Smokefree Policy.
"We know that there is a high level of public support for increased smokefree outdoor spaces. Our wider smokefree and vapefree vision includes protecting our natural environment, our mountains, bush, rivers, streams, beaches and land, to create an attractive and inviting region to live, visit and enjoy," Mai said.
"It's about education and empowerment. We know that 83 per cent of Whangārei adults don't smoke and most smokers are generally very considerate and won't smoke in smokefree areas."
Working with Northland District Health Board and the Cancer Society, Whangārei District Council was the first council in New Zealand to adopt and implement a comprehensive and wide-spread smokefree policy, that covers vaping in public places as well as smoking.
The council's Smokefree Policy increases smokefree and vapefree outdoor spaces from parks, playgrounds, bus shelters and sportsgrounds to include areas such as beaches, transport hubs, carparks, cycleways, public spaces in the central city, council-owned buildings and council-run events.
No Smoking and No Vaping signs and publicity will encourage the public not to smoke or vape in these places for a clean, healthy environment.
Rebecca Gilbert, Cancer Society Northland health promoter, said smokefree and vapefree areas protect all visitors and locals from the dangers of second-hand smoke, as even small amounts of exposure to tobacco smoke could be harmful to people's health.
