Smokers put out of public eye

The front of Parliament has gone smokefree – but Speaker David Carter has stubbed out the idea of a total ban on the grounds.

Carter has announced that smoking is no longer allowed on the forecourt of Parliament, or on the lawn beside it.

The move comes after MPS called for a smoking ban inside Parliament’s grounds as part of a push to make New Zealand smokefree by 2025.

Carter said the ban was a chance to ‘‘show some leadership’’ to the thousands of visitors who came to Parliament each year.

‘‘There are hundreds of schoolkids most days, so let’s lead by example and make the front of the building, that precinct area, also smokefree.’’

However, Carter did not support a total ban within the parliamentary precinct, saying smokers who worked in the precinct had a right to smoke in areas which were ‘‘not really within the public view’’.

‘‘I’d love to see New Zealand smokefree over time but I think it’s got to be done in a way that respects the rights of those people who have been long-time smokers and therefore effectively are addicted to nicotine.’’

Signs announcing the ban had already been put up around Parliament at an ‘‘insignificant’’ cost.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox called for a smoking ban inside Parliament’s grounds in May, saying MPS needed to lead by example. Prime Minister John Key backed the idea, saying it was another way to ‘‘show leadership through our actions’’.

But Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said it would only further punish smokers, who had an addiction.

The ban comes after the Government’s plain packaging tobacco laws took another step forward, passing the committee stage on Wednesday.