13 Apr 2016

Wellington considers extending smokefree areas

1:42 pm on 13 April 2016

Wellington City Council has been told the city's smoking policy is falling well behind other regions.

The Council is discussing an action plan which would make parts of the city and entranceways to some public buildings smokefree.

Smokefree Coalition executive director Prudence Stone told councillors they must make a rule for the entire central city and its public events, as other councils have done.

"While you're considering designating just your own civic precinct and square smokefree, Palmerston North, Napier and Hastings have already designated their entire central city square's smokefree."

The Council is worried about how it would enforce smokefree rules, but Dr Stone says public pressure can be effective.