Waipa¯ may ban smoking, vaping in public areas

Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in public areas across the Waipa¯ district.

This week Waipa¯ District Council opened consultation on its proposed new Smokefree and Vapefree Policy.

The draft policy proposes that public areas across the district become smoke and vape free. This includes council owned and managed parks and reserves, bus stops, outdoor public areas including for outdoor dining within the central business districts of Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, O¯ haupo¯ and Pirongia.

Waipa¯ mayor Jim Mylchreest said the purpose of the proposed policy is to support the Government’s goal of New Zealand becoming smokefree by 2025. “Council’s role is to support a reduction by de-normalising smoking behaviour in our community. This policy will help with that.”

In early 2020 council ran a Facebook poll asking if public places in Waipa¯ should be smokefree. More than 70 per cent said “yes”.

“We’ve responded to this result as well as concerns raised by others to develop the policy,” he added.

Waipa¯ is one of only three North Island local authorities not to have a smokefree policy in place. If implemented the policy would focus on education rather than issuing fines to offenders. Jim said compliance would be encouraged by promoting smokefree behaviours, as well working with the community and Waikato DHB on education.

Submissions on the Smokefree and Vapefree Policy are now open and close on June 4. Residents can make a submissionat the HaveYourSay page on council’s site or on a form from the offices.