Information For | Pārongo Councils Smokefree

Smokefree

Smokefree Outdoor Policies

Smokefree Outdoor Spaces Policies help contribute to achieving the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Goal by:

'Denormalising' smoking by reducing visibility so children are less likely to think it's normal and take it up
Supporting people to quit smoking, and help protect ex-smokers from relapsing, by reducing visual cues to smoke
Reducing exposure to second hand smoke

What Councils can do

Councils can create educational smokefree outdoor spaces policies, which means they don't require enforcing. They work through the use of smokefree signage and promotional media.

Smokefree outdoor spaces could include a variety of areas where people congregate or children and families go. A recent survey of residents in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes Districts conducted by Toi Te Ora Public Health found the community supported smokefree outdoor spaces, including:

Children's playgrounds (95%)
Outside schools, pre-schools, kindergartens and early childhood centres (91%)
Stadiums and sports grounds (80%)
At public events (75%)
Bus stops (72%)
Outdoor dining areas (64%)
Parks and reserves (57%)
Main street or city centres (49%)

Other areas that could be made smokefree include beaches and waterfront areas, and sporting or cultural facilities, grounds, and fields.

For further information or advice on creating Smokefree Outdoor Spaces Policies, see our 'Frequently Asked Questions' or contact us.

Smokefree Outdoor Policies of councils in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts

Many councils already have smokefree outdoor spaces policies, the table below provides a summary of the council policies in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts, with recommendations for extensions.

Council	Areas Covered	Review Date	Recommendations
Taupō District Council	No policy (Smokefree signage in all parks and reserves)	Not applicable	Adopt a Smokefree Outdoor Policy.
Rotorua Lakes Council	All playgrounds, parks, reserves, sportsgrounds and facilities Public Toilets Childhood education centres All youth spaces and skate park Bus stops I-site Outdoor pavement eating spaces Eat Street Entrances and exits to buildings used by the public City centre market Events funded by or on Council property Smokefree Outdoor Spaces Policy	January 2020	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy.
Ōpōtiki District Council	All parks, playgrounds, sportsgrounds and reserves Beaches CBD / Civic Spaces All entrances to Council owned Building Events funded or supported by Council Educational Smoke Free Outdoor Spaces Policy	January 2024	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy.
Kawerau District Council	All playgrounds, reserves and specified Council facilities CBD Events funded by or on Council grounds Smokefree Public Spaces Policy	February 2020	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy.
Whakatāne District Council	Parks and reserves Smoke-Free Council Open Spaces Policy	December 2020	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy. Include alfresco dining, beaches, pedestrian malls or town centres, bus stops, sports grounds and facilities, public toilets.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council	Playgrounds, parks, reserves, sports fields, skate parks Beaches Smokefree Public Spaces Policy	October 2012	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy. Smokefree alfresco dining and town centres.
Tauranga City Council	Playgrounds Active reserves Bus stops Grounds and carparks of council public facilities Council run events Mauao Smokefree Places Policy	No date set	Maintain signage and promotion of smokefree policy. Smokefree alfresco dining and beaches.

Examples and Useful Resources

How we can help

Toi Te Ora Public Health supports councils to implement smokefree outdoor spaces policies. People in the community can also encourage council to introduce smokefree outdoor spaces.

Updated 27 Apr, 2021