Smoking ban not needed for local bus stops mayor

Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell has rejected calls for anti-smoking signs on the region's bus stops, saying local smokers are considerate of others.

Mr Daniell told the Times-Age most public places were already smoke-free in the town. Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said the council does not own the railway station and bus stops. It would consult the community before making any decisions.

New research from Otago University recommends making bus stops and train stations smoke-free to protect people from second-hand cigarette smoke.

The research, which observed nearly 5000 adults and adolescents in Britain and New Zealand, found more than one in 10 Kiwis lit up while waiting for public transport. Only 7 per cent of Britons were observed smoking at outdoor waiting areas.

Mr Daniell said Masterton smokers were relatively considerate of their non-smoking counterparts.

"More and more people are becoming aware that smoking where others congregate is in fact an issue," the mayor said.

Anti-smoking signs were already posted at playgrounds, parks and sports grounds, encouraging smoke-free environments. Smoker Susan Wallace from Masterton said there was no need for an anti-smoking policy in bus stops. She said many people come into town to do their shopping and enjoy having a cigarette while waiting for the bus, but are considerate enough to move if necessary.

Lead researcher Associate Professor George Thomson said smoking bans in outdoor waiting areas had several benefits.

"People are realising more and more that, if they see people smoking around them, it's harder for smokers to stop smoking, it's harder for ex-smokers to stay quit and, for children and young people who might think about starting smoking, it becomes much more normal if they see it around them," Mr Thompson said.

Smoke-free policies could also reduce councils' city maintenance costs, Prof Thomson said.

The Otago University research showed no New Zealanders were observed smoking in playgrounds, compared to 2.8 per cent of Britons. However, researchers did find cigarette butts in playgrounds here.

Prof Thomson said while most parks, playgrounds and sports grounds were smoke-free in New Zealand, we still had a long way to go.

However, Action on Smoking and Health director Ben Youdan said a heavy-handed approach to smoke-free outdoor policies was not needed.

"We don't need a 'smoking police'. Councils need to take an approach which is not about ostracising smokers, but understanding their addiction and providing a supporting environment in which to beat that addiction."APNZ

Smokers in the outdoors survey

Playgrounds

0 per cent of Kiwis observed smoking

2.8 per cent of Britons observed smoking

Street and pedestrian areas

3 per cent of Kiwis observed smoking

7.3 per cent of Britons observed smoking

Outdoor transport waiting areas

11 per cent of Kiwis observed smoking

7 per cent of Britons observed smoking

Source: University of Otago By Teuila Fuatai