Taranaki parks declared smokefree

All parks and reserves in Taranaki have now been declared smokefree.

New Plymouth and Stratford district councils yesterday joined South Taranaki in adopting a smokefree environment policy, making Taranaki the first local government region in the country to do so.

However, the councils admit they have no way of enforcing the policy because there are no laws preventing people from lighting up in these places.

After lengthy debate, when one councillor called the smokefree policy a token gesture and a sign of a Big Brother mentality, the New Plymouth District Council made its 1300ha park estate smokefree.

Stratford might take the policy even further. Chief executive Michael Freeman said smoking bans in streets and outside bars and cafes would be considered next year.

The Taranaki Cancer Society is celebrating the decisions, saying it was not seeking enforcement of a smokefree parks policy by the council - just endorsement.

"It's more of an educational approach. An attitude change is what we are looking for. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen," Taranaki Cancer Society manager Andy Gowland-Douglas said.

And Mayor Peter Tennent does not hide the fact the New Plymouth council can't stop people from lighting up in its parks, nor can it fine them or lock them up if they do take a puff.

The council legally can't stop, or introduce a bylaw banning, people from smoking outdoors.

"I agree it is unenforceable, I agree that we cannot go out and shoot someone or put lip clamps on smokers," Mr Tennent said.

"What we are doing as a community is putting a line in the sand and saying what we believe is appropriate. What we are doing in this community is saying it is inappropriate to smoke around our young people."

The idea is the public will encourage smokers not to light up.

The council will publicise the new smokefree policy using money in existing budgets. As signs in parks are upgraded or replaced, the smokefree logo will be added where appropriate.

Councillor Heather Dodunski said she had no time for token gestures and the smokefree policy was nothing more than that.

"It's not enforceable. To me, it's trying to put something in place that we have no intention of really following through," she said.

People should have the freedom of choice to smoke outside, she said.

Councillor Elaine Gill, who is a smoker, tried unsuccessfully to have the issue put on hold until early 2009, so the public could have its say during consultation for the council's next 10-year plan.

Stratford Deputy Mayor John Edwards said asking people in a nice way to choose not to smoke in certain public areas was akin to the no engine braking signs aimed at truckies approaching urban areas. "I'm confident people will respect the request."

- © Fairfax NZ News