Opinion divided over smoke-free footpaths around hospital

Joan Williamson (73), North Otago. Non-smoker. "There should be some place they could go."
Joan Williamson (73), North Otago. Non-smoker. "There should be some place they could go."
Jason Holmes (28), Alexandra. Smoker. "It's a good idea. It's a bad habit."
Jason Holmes (28), Alexandra. Smoker. "It's a good idea. It's a bad habit."
Barbara Bennett Berlin (53), Dunedin. Smoker. "There should be choice. We're adults."
Barbara Bennett Berlin (53), Dunedin. Smoker. "There should be choice. We're adults."
Patricia Whelan (77), Dunedin. Non-smoker. "They shouldn't be right outside the hospital but if...
Patricia Whelan (77), Dunedin. Non-smoker. "They shouldn't be right outside the hospital but if they want to do it [it's up to them]."
Metua Taana (24), Dunedin. Smoker. "I support what they are saying. For me, I'd be happy. I'd quit."
Metua Taana (24), Dunedin. Smoker. "I support what they are saying. For me, I'd be happy. I'd quit."
Gerry Sutherland (64), Dunedin. Non-smoker. "It's ridiculous, pushing them out in the freezing...
Gerry Sutherland (64), Dunedin. Non-smoker. "It's ridiculous, pushing them out in the freezing cold."
Richard Newcombe (35), Dunedin. Smoker. "It's a good idea. It's terribly bad for you."
Richard Newcombe (35), Dunedin. Smoker. "It's a good idea. It's terribly bad for you."

The idea of smoke-free footpaths around Dunedin Hospital provoked two schools of thought yesterday.

People spoken to by the Otago Daily Times outside the hospital either supported the proposal, even if they smoked, or thought, as adults had the right to choose to smoke, a dedicated area should be provided for them.

A report from Otago District Health Board Brian Rousseau at a board meeting on Thursday advised that the possibility of designating smoke-free footpaths surrounding the hospital had been raised with the Dunedin City Council.

The council was still preparing its response to the health board's inquiry and was looking at how other local authorities addressed the issue.

Many of those spoken to, even those who did not want to be quoted, supported the idea, saying it was "not a good look" to have smokers on the footpaths, especially outside a hospital.

Others suggested it was not practical and it would be "silly" to ban it.

Board chairman Errol Millar said the message from the board was that a footpath smoking ban would be an ideological solution which was a nonsense.

The issue needed to be resolved.

It would not just be a matter of providing a room or other area where people could go to smoke and "see if you can kill a few of your mates while you're sitting there".

There also needed to be help provided for those with a smoking addiction.

Staff were asked to urgently address the question, with board member Peter Barron suggesting it should be sorted out by Christmas.

 

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