Push for smoke-free parks

The Cancer Society is urging local authorities to copy a smoke-free parks stand made by the South Taranaki District Council.

The authority this week put up signs asking people not to smoke in council parks and playgrounds.

"It is not coming down on anyone with a big stick," said Mayor Mary Bourke. "We aren't banning smoking in parks but by encouraging people not to smoke we are recognising the dangers of smoking."

The council says it has received only one call saying the move is extreme compared to several calls supporting playground notices.

It adopted a smoke-free policy for its facilities after Taranaki Cancer Society complaints that outdoor areas of public swimming pools were not smokefree.

Community services and development manager Jan Martin, who helped develop the policy, said: "When the Cancer Society pointed this out it got me thinking about the messages we were or in this case were not promoting.

"As a community leader, we have a responsibility to promote a healthy lifestyle."

Cancer Society national adviser on tobacco control Belinda Hughes said it was calling on all councils to expand smoke-free zones in playgrounds, parks, swimming pools, zoos, sporting fields and beaches - "areas where children are key users".

"Children learn by observing others and we aim to build up a sense in the community that smoking round kids is not the done thing."

Ms Hughes said councils had the power to promote changes within the community's health and wellbeing that were outside the scope of district health boards.

South Taranaki's move is a policy decision rather than a bylaw which is enforceable through a prosecution.

Local Government New Zealand says, however, that councils can pass bylaws "for protecting people from nuisance", or "protecting, promoting and maintaining public health and safety".

Any council wishing to take this route must first hear public views on it.

The smoke-free move has already hit the streets.

In 2002 Wellington City Council passed a bylaw banning smoking in Cable Car Lane, where offenders risk a fine of up to $500.

Auckland City, North Shore, Manukau and Waitakere City Councils have no immediate plans for smoke-free parks.

Auckland University students lighting up at Albert Park yesterday said they would object to any council request to stub out their cigarettes.

"I'd tell them to mind their own business, because there's no law against it," said Julie Tupu. "This is our area."

But both she and her friend Kesah Wendy said they would not smoke at a children's playground.

Geoff Crozier said although he tried to avoid conflict he would not give up his smoke without some discussion of the rights of such a request.

Chris Hughes said it would be unreasonable to have a smoke-free park.

"They've already stopped smoking in bars and though I know it's socially unacceptable we should be able to enjoy it in the park where there is plenty of air and people don't have to sit next you."

North Shore City Council already classes leisure centres and pools as smoke-free environments.

Waitakere City enforces smoke-free policies in the West Wave Pool and holds events billed as "smoke-free".

Auckland Regional Council has no policy planned for its parks.

However, the council's Ericsson Stadium, home of the Warriors rugby league club, is considering "actively persuading" patrons not to smoke in the grandstands next season.

Stadium manager Malcolm Roberts said the club agreed with an approach whereby drums-cum-ashtrays were placed in designated smoking areas outside.

Mr Roberts said patrons occasionally complained to security staff about having smokers near them and staff responded with a no smoking request.

"Very seldom do they meet an argument, though a few league fans are smokers and can get stroppy."

Smoke-free public places

* South Taranaki parks and pools

* Cable Car Lane, Wellington

* Manly and Bondi beaches and many playgrounds and sporting grounds in New South Wales

* Within 10m of playgrounds in Queensland

* Within 7.6m of California's playgrounds.