Recent research carried out by the Cancer Society, Kapiti PHO, Otaki PHO and Regional Public Health indicates a high level of community support for smokefree parks and playgrounds.

Park users were surveyed at Maclean Park, Campbell Park, Waikanae Park, Marine Gardens, Mazengarb Reserve and Huratai Park. Of those surveyed, 75 percent of people think that people should not be able to smoke at children’s playgrounds. 61 percent of people strongly disagree with the statement “ it’s okay to smoke around non smokers”.

Lucy Butler, Public Health Advisor, Regional Public Health, says “community enforced educational policies rely on community support, and feedback from smokers and non-smokers has been very positive”.

The aim of the educational smokefree outdoors policy is to normalise non-smoking and encourage positive role models for both children and young people in Kapiti.

It’s about the kids – showing them that smoking is not a ‘normal’ activity will reduce the likelihood they will start to smoke.

This is for a smokefree generation and smokefree environments are a valuable strategy to de-normalise smoking.