NO SMOKING IN BUSES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 12

NO SMOKING IN BUSES

Council Ban In Wellington (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 13. The Wellington City Council decided last night to ban smoking on its buses and cut out tobacco advertising on corporation property. The bus regulation comes into force on May 2, and the tobacco advertisements will disappear after existing contracts have expired. A report from the health committee said members had accepted the consensus of medical opinion on the dangers of tobaeco.

Advertisements should be stopped. Smoking on buses should be stopped as much to reduce the cost of cleaning and maintenance as from the hygienic point of view, said Cr. M. N. Manthel, chairman of the transport committee. “The health angle, is not our concern.”

There was no opposition to the bus smoking bam, but Cr. M. R. Love asked how the Transport Department proposed to enforce it. “It won’t be easy,” said Cr. MarutheL “But we will put tip notices and it will be another duty for the driver. We think the public will play fair.” He said he had not considered how drivers could enforce the instruction or if offenders would be prosecuted. Several councillors spoke against stopping advertising Cr. Manthel said it would mean a loss of about £6OOO in revenue. Cr. D. McGrath, the deputyMayor, said it was not the business of the health committee to make stipulations on advertisements on city property. “Tire whole thing is crazy,” he said. The ban on tobacco advertising was carried by nine votes to four.

Old age pensions in Canada have been increased from 65 to 75 dollars a month.