24 Jul 2013

Smoke-free public places for Auckland

8:32 pm on 24 July 2013

Aucklanders lighting up in a public place will now be breaking the rules.

The Auckland Council's regional development and operations committee has adopted a smoking ban in nearly all public spaces.

From Wednesday, smoking is banned at parks, stadiums, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports fields, public transport and all outdoor areas associated with council service centres such as libraries and museums.

People will be expected to comply with the ban, although there will be no penalties for breaches.

Councillor Ann Hartley told the committee that this is the next step towards the council's goal of a smoke-free region by 2025.

"I'm very pleased that Auckland Council has got to this point. It is just another move forward in making our environment more smoke-free than it is."

The ban will extend to civic squares and plazas in 2015, and to beaches, outdoor dining areas, urban centres and council housing in 2018.