Smoking ban for Whangarei CBD?

LAST GASP: Mayor Sheryl Mai wants to stop smokers like Daniel lighting up in Whangarei's CBD. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Smoking could be banned from Whangarei's CBD and Mayor Sheryl Mai is making no apologies if it creates a problem for smokers.

But not all residents are happy with the proposed ban.

Ms Mai's comments follow Christchurch City Council announcing they intend to become the country's first smokefree city, with a "peer pressure" ban on smoking in the CBD. Ms Mai said by 2025 - in line with a central government vision - she wanted less than 5 per cent of Whangarei residents to smoke, all the district's outdoor public places to be smokefree and for it to be difficult to sell tobacco.

There was potential for particular focus on Cameron St Mall, the Town Basin and the wider CBD. The mayor said "100 per cent smokefree [outdoor] dining" in the city would form part of the vision.

Northland's Hospitality New Zealand spokesman Phil Sentch said any smokefree policy needed to be a level playing field.

"I haven't given it a hell of a lot of thought, as of yet. But you've got to remain consistent with it, you can't just do a bit here and a bit there. It becomes an unfair option on trade."

One of the bars Mr Sentch owned, Cameron St's Tote 'N' Poke, used the footpath as its smoking area.

He said any such policy would "likely annoy some customers".

"We're the ones who will end up dealing with the complaints, not the council," he said.

The mayor said she would be keen to hear the community's views on more smokefree public spaces. The Advocate conducted an informal survey of Cameron St shoppers, with opinion on the issue fairly evenly split.

Beau-dean Sproule, a smoker himself, said he would agree with a ban and would work around it. He was already mindful of the effect his smoking could have on non-smokers.

However, non-smoker Steph Weiss thought it went too far. "It starts with smoking but then where does it stop?" she asked.

The mayor said any smokefree areas would be imposed in an "educative" fashion, rather than via bylaws.

In Northland, smoking was related to 25 per cent of all deaths and smoking-related hospital admissions were 1.5 times higher than the national rate. "Yes, this may create problems for current and visiting smokers, and I would make no apology for that. There would still be places they can smoke. However, we want to encourage them to give it away and come and play with the rest of us who are enjoying Whangarei's lifestyle and attractions to the fullest."

-What do you think? Northlanders have their say, Page 3.