No going out for a smoke at this eatery

Copper head chef Scotty Low (left) received a Smokefree Otago Award from Heart Foundation heart health advocate Jo Arthur (centre) and Cancer Society health promotion officer Penelope Scott yesterday to recognise the Dunedin eatery's smoke-free outdoor area.

Mr Low, who takes over the lease of the business tomorrow from Delvin Chin, said he was surprised more outdoor areas in restaurants were not smoke-free, as smoking was becoming "socially unacceptable''.

Mr Low said he had never smoked, and had witnessed a transformation in the hospitality sector from a time more than 20 years ago when smoking was acceptable even in restaurant kitchens. Today is World Smokefree Day.

Representatives from Public Health South and WellSouth Primary Health Network also attended the presentation.