DHB aims for more bans on smoking

Make outdoor dining areas and footpaths in central New Plymouth - and its beaches - smokefree, health advocates say.

On Tuesday night the New Plymouth District Council planning committee will discuss its smokefree parks and outdoors policy, because of issues raised by a deputation from Cancer Society Taranaki community health adviser Tessa Delport, and two members of the Taranaki DHB’s health promotion unit in May.

They will discuss putting smokefree signage at the Huatoki Plaza and Puke Ariki Landing soon or whether it should wait until they review the smokefree and outdoor places policy. It will also decide whether to review the policy now or wait until next year when it is due for review.

Delport wants the council to signpost the areas it had already agreed to make smokefree - the children’s playground at Kawaroa Park, Huatoki Plaza, Centre City and Puke Ariki Landing - as soon as possible.

‘‘These areas have been designated smokefree, but they need signs to let people know.’’

She would also like to see beaches, outdoor dining areas and footpaths in the CBD made smokefree, she said.

‘‘Beaches have gone smokefree in other areas. New Plymouth was quite strong in the start regarding smokefree polices. Other councils have since advanced but we have plateaued.’’

The idea is to smoking, she said.

‘‘We don’t want to see children in future generalisations smoking, so we’re making it something they don’t see. It’s the same as parks, yes it’s outside but what we want to do is make it an clean environment.’’

Someone smoking a couple of metres away from a non smoker can be offensive, she said.

‘‘The New Plymouth District Council needs to be standing up and saying it’s important for our natural, and in-town areas, to be a clean environment, which is what we are so well known for around the world.’’ denormalise