Moves towards a tobacco-free Central Otago will be a breath of fresh air to smoke-free campaigners.
The Central Otago District Council this week adopted a draft smoke-free policy which it will put out for public consultation.
The policy will cover all council-owned parks and reserves, tracks and walkways, sportsgrounds and playgrounds.
Some of the numerous other places which will be included are 10 metres from public pedestrian entrances to council-owned buildings, bus stops and 10m from bus shelters and areas set up primarily for cafe or dining purposes on publicly-owned land.
Signs will be erected in these areas, but rules will not be policed.
Events receiving council funding will be required to support smoke-free messaging and they, along with any event held on council land, would require smoking bans.
Cr Victoria Bonham warned the policy risked "badgering" smokers and infringing on their democratic rights.
"In an open space I don’t think we can be telling them what to do. It’s rare you come across a smoker that isn’t respectful."
Cr Martin McPherson said as the policy would not be policed, it was more about the message.
"If you’re watching a game of rugby and smoking away on the sideline, you’re sending a message that it’s OK."
Cr Barrie Wills said the policy was a "no brainer".
"There are plenty of other places to smoke. This just says on council land we’d prefer you didn’t."
A report to the council said the policy was partly a reaction to submissions from health groups in recent years.
In the last four years the council has made various parks throughout the district smoke-free.
Smoking was banned in district playgrounds in 2013 and in May the Cromwell Community Board adopted a smoke-free policy for the Cromwell Mall.
