Breathing is easy as smokers roll over

The Ministry of Health is surprised how few complaints it has had about people breaking the rules during the first smokefree weekend in pubs, bars and restaurants.

Before the law came into effect last week Ministry of Health officials were unsure how smokers would respond, but they expected non-smokers to quickly report any breaches of the law to a free phoneline.

Extra staff were brought in to handle the expected calls on Friday night - but only 12 were received.

Call centre manager John Sheehan said his staff received about 50 calls during the entire weekend, most of which were from bar owners or managers with queries about the law.

Only 12 were from people who wanted to report someone smoking in a bar.

"It's been a very quiet weekend indeed," said Mr Sheehan. "I'm quite surprised."

Mr Sheehan said it was difficult to know if more complaints would come in as people got used to the idea or if the lack of calls simply meant people were abiding by the law.

"The response has been extremely pleasing because it suggests that the changes have gone off quite smoothly but I guess the next fortnight will tell us." When the ministry introduced the smokefree rules one of the main criticisms from bar owners was that they were left to enforce the law or face fines of up to $4000.

They said it was unfair because it was difficult to know what every single person was doing in every part of the bar. In response, the Ministry of Health said it expected the rules would in part be enforced by members of the public who would not stand for smokers breaking the law.

However, people the Herald spoke to during the weekend said they were not too keen on dobbing others in, even if it meant breathing in second-hand smoke.

At Auckland's Viaduct, Lenin patron Felicity Noonan said it was great being out and about in a smokefree environment but she probably wouldn't act if she saw someone light up.

"I might give them the eye but I would just take it."

Provedor Bar duty manager Alex Cheung said the odd person would light up inside but they quickly realised their mistake and went to designated smoking areas outside.