If approved, the new policy would be rolled out in two phases.
Phase one would see smoking banned at all bus stops, the i-Site and library surrounds, sports grounds, the Rotorua International Stadium, youth spaces and skate parks and all council-controlled reserves and parks, by next month.
Phase two would see smoking banned along Eat Streat, at all outdoor pavement eating places, markets in the inner city and in entrances and exits to public buildings and facilities by January 2018.
"All agreements for the hire or rent of council premises or reserves, or receiving council funding for events, will be required to include a smoke-free event clause from 1 February 2017," the report stated.
"The policy objective is to improve the health and wellbeing of Rotorua communities by reducing the prevalence of smoking and de-normalising smoking behaviour.
"Reducing the visibility of smoking in public places is particularly important to de-normalise smoking behaviour for children and young people."
But the report says compliance with the policy would be voluntary and would not be enforced by the council.
"Compliance is instead encouraged by educating the public to model and promote appropriate behaviour, which in turn encourages others to be smoke-free."
Ben Hingston, special projects manager for the Tipu Ora Stop Smoking Service, said the organisation was pleased with the council's initiative.
"The council is taking a step in the right direction and supporting the national goal of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025.
"We believe the proposed policy would further support those who are attempting to quit smoking by reducing the number of areas where smoking is considered okay and support continuing efforts to de-normalise smoking behaviour and prevent uptake."
But, he said he would prefer the council to enforce the ban.
Eat Streat coalition chairman Tamati Coffey said Eat Streat business owners understood the need to create healthy spaces.
"While some of our restaurants are smoke-free, some of our bars are not, therefore going 'cold turkey' on smokers will inevitably be harmful to business.
"As a compromise, many have talked about supporting a percentage-based area for smokers. Say, 60 per cent of the out front courtyards smoking and 40 per cent smoke-free.
"This may help us to find a middle ground as change comes through," Mr Coffey said.
Co-owners of Atticus Finch restaurant on Eat Streat, Kay Thompson and Cherry Te Kiri, said they supported the move, but understood bars might have a problem with it.
Their restaurant has been non-smoking since they opened a few years ago.
It would be hard if you are a business owner and lots of your customers are smokers," Mrs Te Kiri said.
"But, we would like it to be smoke-free as soon as possible.
"The council are acting on what the community want and they want it to be smoke-free, so I think it's a good move."
She said businesses would have plenty of time to get ready for the ban to be put in place.
Mayor Steve Chadwick said she would not comment until the matter had been discussed in council.
Rotorua Lakes Council Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces Policy
Smoking is already banned at:
- Council-managed Tokorangi Forest
- Council-owned playgrounds
- Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust premises
- Tennis facilities at Lynmore, Okareka and Manuka Cres
- Child Care Centres; including kindergartens, play centres, creches and kohanga reo on council reserve land and immediate surrounds
- Public toilets
- Sports areas at Smallbone Park hockey turfs and Westbrook netball courts
- Kuirau Park Rotary North Saturday Market
- Council workplace properties
Smoking could be banned by January 2017 at:
- All bus stops and shelters
- i-Site and library surrounds including Jean Batten Park
- All sports grounds
- Rotorua International Stadium
- All youth spaces and skate parks
- All council-controlled reserves and parks including lakefront reserves
Smoking could be banned by January 2018 at:
- Eat Streat
- Outdoor pavement eating places
- Markets held in the inner city
- Entrances and exits to public buildings and facilities used by the public
