Smokefree zone may be extended

INVERCARGILL residents are in favour of extending a smokefree zone in the CBD to a wider area, according to results released by the Invercargill City Council (ICC).

A total of 76% of respondents were in favour of the extension after the first year of the council’s smokefree areas policy, and council officers were set to use the results as ‘‘an opportunity to build on the success gained within the [smokefree] area’’, the council said.

The survey also showed that 39% of residents ‘‘had noticed a difference in smoking in the area’’, while 48% ‘‘were aware of the policy’’ which council officers considered a positive result.

The policy was introduced in November last year. Its stated aim was to ‘‘assist in denormalising smoking for children and young people by reducing its visibility in public places and contributing to the Central Government goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025’’.

At present, the smokefree area encompasses the city centre. Its boundary extends from Tay St to Spey St and Deveron St to Dee St.

The results will be discussed at today’s council meeting. A public consultation period is set to be introduced to allow residents to discuss any possible extensions to the designated smokefree area.