Councils have always played an important role in a range of public health activities within their communities. In recent years Councils have provided leadership and innovation in a much broader range of public health and safety related activities including injury prevention, road safety and health promotion on issues such as drugs, alcohol and gambling.(1)
It is also important to keep in mind that smoking is not only a health issue, but one that has broad ranging impacts on the wellbeing of communities. This includes the impact smoking has on increasing health inequalities, its drain on the economy, cultural losses as a result of premature death and its impact on the environment through litter and fires. Councils have the power to shape and promote changes within the community environment outside the scope of DHBs.