Smoke ban starts early in Tauranga

More than a dozen smoke-free signs are already hanging on the wall of the Hungahungatoroa sports club.

The club at Matapihi, 9km east of Tauranga, decided to go smoke-free in September - three months before the December 10 deadline when all pubs, bars and restaurants will be required to banish smokers.

Hungahungatoroa Marae chairman Taku Paki said repairs to the club's leaky roof prompted him to take action early after painting contractors pointed out the vast amount of nicotine that had seeped into the ceiling over the years.

"We thought there would be screams of protest from everyone, but it was quite the opposite."