7 Jun 2012

Capital bans smoking in playgrounds, parks

5:50 pm on 7 June 2012

Wellington City Council is banning smoking at all of the city's sports fields, playgrounds and skate parks

The ban, at 43 sports fields, 104 playgrounds and seven skate parks, was passed unanimously by councillors on Thursday.

Smoking is already prohibited at Newtown Park, Rugby League Park and all of the city's artificial sportsfields, and half of the nation's local councils have already beaten the Capital to a ban on smoking in parks and playgrounds.

Government officials want to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025 and the council says it is helping to support it in achieving that goal.

The ban will be enforced through signage which will cost $20,000.