Smokefree Policy Adopted

Children in Whakatane will play in a healthier outdoor environment, when smoking in parks and reserves is phased out from the end of May.

The Whakatane District Council’s Smoke-free Policy comes into effect on Tuesday 31 May, effectively banning smoking in the Council’s owned parks and reserves across the District. This will coincide with the World Smokefree Day.

The policy will be based on education as opposed to enforcement. Research has found that educational policies are a more effective and efficient option to prevent smoking in outdoor spaces as smokers are generally willing to comply for the sake of young people.

Council Policy Manager Julie Gardyne said the Smoke-free Policy has been developed to abnormalise smoking in public places, encourage positive role modelling for children, and reduce youth uptake of smoking. She hopes the public will support this initiative and help create healthier play areas throughout the District.

A staged approach would be used to implement the newpolicy. The most popular playgrounds and parks where children play will have no-smoking signs erected first. Signs will then be gradually put up at all reserves and parks across the district.

The highest priority parks include Wairaka playground at the Whakatane Heads, Ocean playground and skateboard park in Whakatane, Maraetotora playground in Ohope, Riverslea Mall playground and the skate park in Edgecumbe, Eivers Park in Te Teko, Heale Street playground in Matata, Civic Park in Murupara and Morrison Street Reserve in Taneatua.

The Smoke-free Policy was developed following a request to the Council in 2010 by Toi Te Ora Public Health Service. Toi Te Ora reported that smoke-free areas help ‘de-normalise’ smoking, they reduce people’s exposure to cigarette smoke and may help people to quit smoking.

Smoking is more prevalent in Whakatane than the rest of New Zealand with almost a third (30.3%) of the population listed as smokers in the 2006 Census, compared to a national average of 23.9%.

Around 30 councils in New Zealand have adopted smoke-free policies. A local advertising campaign will promote the new smoke-free areas. For more information please contact the Council on 07 306 0500.