South Taranaki

Background

In May 2005 the South Taranaki District Council led the way in this area by adopting a Smokefree Environments Policy which discourages smoking in Council owned swimming pools and outdoor surrounds, playgroups and parks.  Council events held in South Taranaki parks are now consistently promoted as smoke-free events, with promotional material for events in the park indicating that the venue is smoke-free. 

The South Taranaki District Council has not reported any difficulties enforcing the ban, noting that 75% of New Zealanders do not smoke and that Council events (including Concerts on the Lake and Paepae in the Park) where people were asked not to smoke, were accepted and adhered to in the main. 

The Council sees its role as one of leadership and positive role modeling and will be implementing its policy through signage and education.

Policy

• Policy Position on the Smoke-Free Environments (Workplace & Public Spaces)

Useful Links

• Implementation Kit Case Study
• Media Release: Fresh Air South Taranaki Leads The Way, South Taranaki District Council, 26 May 2006
• Media Release: 'Butt Out…Please', South Taranaki District Council, 17 August 2005
• Article: 'South Taranaki Leads the Way', South Taranaki Star, 8 June 2006.
• Report: Smokefree Parks and Playgrounds (includes background and impact of SF policy)

Further Information

John Sargeant
Property and Facilities Manager
South Taranaki District Council
PO Box 902, Hawera
Phone: 0800 111 323
Fax: 06 278 8757