Central Otago is moving towards becoming more smokefree.
On Wednesday, the Central Otago District Council's community services committee will discuss public submissions made on the council's draft smoke-free policy.
Council parks and recreation manager Matthew Begg said under the policy, smoke-free areas in the district would include council-owned parks and reserves, tracks and walkways, sportsgrounds, playgrounds, areas within 10m of entrances to council-owned buildings, areas within a 10m radius of bus stops and cafes on publicly owned land.
The policy would also ban smoking at council-run or funded events.
Signage would be installed to enforce the policy but no fines would apply.
``It's about education,'' Mr Begg said.
``It's not a bylaw, so in terms of enforcement it's reliant on community participation.''
Earlier in the year, the council asked for public submissions on the policy and received 36.
Only two opposed the policy and four requested amendments.
Some who opposed the policy thought smokers should have a designated area to smoke in at council events.
The Southern District Health Board's public health service suggested amendments.
They said the council should develop an education plan on smoking for its staff and contractors.
``As a large employer in the region the [council] is in a perfect position to cement smokefree lifestyles as part of a wider staff wellness programme,'' the submission said.
If the policy went ahead, it would be implemented in February 2018.
The council adopted a smokefree playgrounds policy in 2013.
Most public parks in the district are already smoke-free.
