Hamilton adopts Smoke-free policy

Smoking will be banned across a range of public spaces in Hamilton, following the adoption today by Hamilton City Council of a Smoke-Free Environment Policy for the city.  

Council has adopted the policy, which takes effect immediately, to show its commitment to creating smoke-free public places in the city as well as providing leadership around supporting New Zealand to become smoke-free by 2025.

The policy will see smoking prohibited from the following places:

Garden Place, Civic Square, Hamilton Transport Centre and Hamilton Gardens
Within 10 metres of all City Council playgrounds and all Council owned or operated buildings and facilities

Around Waikato Hospital on Pembroke St (from the corner of Selwyn St to Ohaupo Rd) and Selwyn St
It was also agreed that all events run or sponsored by Council will be required to be smoke-free.
The policy takes an educative self-policing approach, with people being made aware of and educated about smoke-free areas through signage and communication initiatives.

Council will work alongside smoke-free advocacy groups under the umbrella of the CHANCES coalition, which includes the Cancer Society and Waikato DHB, to introduce appropriate signage to these areas as well as educating the public about the policy.

The organisations will also work together over the next six months to monitor public compliance with the policy. The policy will return to Council for consideration of this compliance along with consideration of extension of the policy to other parts of the city, including bus shelters and parks and reserves.

Commenting, Strategy and Policy Committee Chairperson Maria Westphal said: “As a Council we have a leadership role in our city to promote healthy smoke-free places where people know they won’t be exposed to the dangers of second-hand smoke.

“The Government has set a goal of a smoke-free New Zealand by 2025, and it’s important Hamilton steps up and does what it can to work towards this, promoting healthy smoke-free environments for all and particularly for our children.

“Our new policy is a step in the right direction, and with the city’s smoke-free advocacy umbrella group CHANCES we will monitor over the next six months how the policy is working, with a view to extending the policy to other areas of the city.”