Councils have had no adverse reaction to attempts to stamp out smoking at major venues after more than a year phasing in a Smokefree Policy in Napier and Hastings.
The policy was approved by the city and district councils in late 2015 and has been rolled out since the start of July last year, creating smokefree places and smokefree events, including major rugby and cricket venue McLean Park in Napier.
Read more: Racecourse stubs out smoking to support Daffodil Day
Napier City Council manager community strategies Natasha Carswell, speaking after Hawke's Bay Racing announced a smokefree September 2 opening to it's three-day Spring Racing Carnival, said the policy is encouraged at the major venue rather than enforced, and has involved providing information to staff, new signs with "fresh air zone" messaging, and promoting smokefree events.
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Advertise with NZME."As a city council venue, McLean Park is smokefree and has had new signage installed," she said. "The policy is not enforced but encouraged. We have not had any adverse reactions to going smokefree at our venues, staff have been supportive as have customers at these mainly family events."
She said the councils have been encouraged by how well cafes and restaurants have taken up the policy with footpath dining, with many displaying the signs on doors and windows and on tables outside.
The policy created smokefree public places, including parks, sports grounds, playgrounds, reserves and beach reserves, spaces up to 10 metres from entrances to council buildings, similar areas in and around bus stops, and areas set-up for cafe or dining purposes on public land, such as CBD footpaths.
Any event receiving council funding is required to support the smokefree policy.
The policy effects the councils' commitment to the Smokefree Hawke"s Bay 2025 Strategy, supporting Government's strategy for New Zealand to be smokefree by 2025, and is to be reviewed every three years.
The racecourse designation as a smokefree area coincides with the race meeting's support of the Cancer Society through the Daffodil Day Appeal, and the entry fee on September 2 will be by donation to the cause.
