Editorial: Smoking ban breath of fresh air

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick promoted the bill that banned smoking in pubs, clubs and casinos.

Ten years ago yesterday a very important change took place in New Zealand - and it was at the hands of our new mayor Steve Chadwick.

A bill that banned smoking in pubs, clubs and casinos, which was promoted by Mrs Chadwick, the then Rotorua MP, was passed by Parliament. At the time, it was seen as groundbreaking legislation. Few other countries had taken such a step, including our closest neighbours Australia.

Smokers up and down the country were furious at the Government, or the "smoking police" as they became known, for taking away their right to enjoy a ciggy while having a drink at a licensed premises.

The bill was passed by 68 to 52 votes after Labour forced all of its MPs to vote for it. Other parties allowed a conscience vote but most National MPs opposed the bill, saying the total ban went too far and was "authoritarian".

New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone said at the time that the bill patronised people. He said the Government's line of thinking could eventually lead to it legislating for a compulsory bed time so everyone had a good sleep.

But Mrs Chadwick was staunch in pushing for change, telling Parliament on the night of the vote almost 383 people a year died due to inhaling secondhand smoke, noting hospitality staff were the most at risk.

Just how many lives have been saved since the ban became law will never be known but you can put me down as at least one.

I knocked off smoking when the legislation came in - it made it much easier to quit and I know I wasn't alone.

Yes, smokers found it hard to change at first but looking back now would we have it any other way? Could we seriously go back to sitting in a nice restaurant enjoying a meal while having someone close to you blowing cigarette smoke around you? It's a smoker's right to smoke - absolutely. But it's equally a non-smoker's right to enjoy clean air.