SkyCity shows smokers the way

Punters lighting up at SkyCity tomorrow night will be shown the door - to one of the eight new smoking balconies built in preparation for Friday's smoking ban.

The country's largest continuous entertainment venue has been preparing for over a year, progressively limiting its smoking areas.

The countdown will continue tomorrow and by 10.30pm there will be hardly any inside space for nicotine fiends.

Skycity Auckland's general manager attractions and support services, Grant Webster, said he expected the transition to be smooth. Punters would be able to reserve gaming machines when they popped out for a cigarette. 

"Quite simply, under the new legislation, staff and customers will still be able to smoke if they choose to - they will just be limited to the new outdoor smoking areas."

Webster said while there were obvious benefits to the smoke-free legislation (including a healthier working environment for staff, cleaning and ventilation cost reductions) SkyCity was aware there was likely to be a downside for the business - an estimated $10 million hit - but that should be short lived.

The company's general manager of gaming, Greg Hawkins, expects the behavioural transition to take three to six months. While continual reminders would be needed for international visitors unaware of the situation, the locals should adapt without much fuss, he said.

Alongside the new balconies, other smoke-free prompted changes at SkyCity include the removal of cigarette vending machines. From Friday cigarettes will be sold only behind the counter at the centre's bars and restaurants and on portable refreshment trolleys, as the new law requires stricter rules. New signs are abundant - green this time, to indicate smoking areas rather than the usual red no-smoking signs.

The company is extending its action to staff - promoting Quitline advice and support as well as heavily discounted vouchers for nicotine gum and patches.

With 3000 employees across the country, 2500 of who are at the Auckland site, Hawkins said there should be plenty of people wanting to take up the offer.

Staff will just need to phone the Quitline with proof of their employee details to receive two months' supply of nicotine replacement for $15.