A policy banning smoking on the streets of Auckland has been
rejected by the council.
Auckland Council had said it was considering banning smokers
from congregating outside CBD buildings for a quick fix.
George Wood, the council's community safety forum chairman,
told the New Zealand Herald the city had to "stop this
practice of people going outside to smoke in CBD streets
because they are not allowed to in their building".
He said the community safety forum was considering whether
bylaws or education were the answer and would seek feedback
from the public.
But today, the proposal was rejected, Radio New Zealand
reported.
Auckland District Health Board, which employs more than
10,000 people, was also looking at refusing to hire smokers.
The DHB went smoke-free five years ago and said the proposal
would broaden its policy of not allowing patients, visitors
and staff to smoke at any of its sites.
The Human Rights Commission said the DHB would be within its
rights not to hire smokers because smoking was not specified
in legislation as a banned reason for discrimination.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.