If you want to light up in Hastings in the near future you may want to check where you are standing.
As of July 2016 there will be fewer places to spark up a cigarette with a Napier-Hastings joint smokefree policy coming into affect.
Passed at this week's Hastings District Council (HDC) meeting the policy's focus will be on providing more tobacco free public environments including both places, such as parks, and event.
HDC chief executive Ross McLeod said the policy was one of intent, that it gave council no more regulatory powers.
"It is not a regulatory enforcement issue, it is applying policy to public spaces and how we manage those public spaces," he said.
Looking at the policy, its aims are to reduce the impacts of smoking and tobacco use on non-smokers, including reduced exposure to second hand smoke and de-normalisation of smoking.
"The policy will take a non-punitive approach to controlling smoking in particular public places, aimed at lessening the effect of smoking on other people," it reads.
"The council will review this policy every three years, or at an appropriate alternative time. [It] will remain in force until such time as it is reviewed."
To help promote this policy councils will install signage promoting positive smokefree messages will be installed in appropriate places.
"While the policy will be educative, self-policing and no fines will apply; the councils may take other action in the event of a persistent issue," it says.
"Littering will be addressed through the relevant provisions of the Litter Act 1979."
Moreover, this policy is consistent with the purposes of the Smokefree Environments Act which prohibits smoking inside workplaces and other public enclosed areas and in both the open and indoor areas of schools and facilities for young children.
Before the policy was adopted by HDC, the following clarification was added to the review section.
"If the policy is not effective in reducing people's exposure to second-hand smoke in public places and at community events, the councils will investigate how to make the policy more effective," the recommendation noted.
"This may include regulatory mechanisms."
The Joint Smokefree Policy will be gradually rolled out from July 1.