Ashburton

Background

The Ashburton District Council declared Friedlander Park Playground smokefree in early 2007.   This move was initiated following a request by pupils from Hampstead Primary School to their local Council at a Youth Forum in late 2006.  The pupils highlighted amongst many points the dangers of second hand smoke and the negative influence of seeing adults smoke nearby.  They asked that Friedlander Park (opposite the school grounds) be designated the first smokefree park in the area. 

Immediately following the Youth Forum a joint letter from Community and Public Health and the Cancer Society was sent to the Mayor.  This requested that not only Friedlander Park be made smokefree but that Council consider making all parks, playgrounds and sportsgrounds in the area smokefree through voluntary compliance.

The Ashburton District Council adopted a policy to make all of its playgrounds Smokefree in November 2007.   

Policy

• Minutes - Ashburton District Council Minutes - Council adopts Smokefree Playgrounds Policy, November 2007
• Agenda - Ashburton District Council, Community Services Report on Smokefree Playgrounds, November 2007

Useful documents

• Implementation Kit Case Study

Further information

Angela Leadley 
Community & Public Health 
Elizabeth Street
Ashburton
Ph 03 307 6902 
Email: Angela.Summerfield@cdhb.govt.nz 

Cheryl Galland
Cancer Society opf New Zealand
PO Box 13 450 
Christchurch
Ph 03 379 5835
Email: cheryl@canty.cancernz.org.nz