Smoke ban likely for Wellington

Press, 10 November 1988, Page 16

Smoke ban likely for Wellington

PA Wellington A ban on smoking in public places is becoming closer to reality for Wellington City. The Wellington City Council health committee members voted on Tuesday to introduce a bylaw to prevent smoking in public places which would take effect on April 1. The matter will go to the full council meeting next week for approval. The bylaw, similar to that adopted by the Waitemata City Council this year, would ban smoking in shops, health-care centres, lifts and the public

areas of banks and other buildings. Restaurants would be required to make half their total seating smoke-free. Owners of these areas would be required to put up signs saying they were smoke-free; those who did not obey the bylaw would be liable to fines of up to $5OO. The bylaw was introduced by Cr John Gilberthorpe, after council officers had recommended delay until the Government considered anti-smoking legislation, likely to go before Parliament next year. In May the council voted to support the

Waitemata bylaw and monitor the situation for six months before making a decision. Building and structural division director Ken Mulholland said it would be “premature” for the council to adopt the bylaw. Costs would be substantial. Meanwhile, a ban on smoking in council buildings should be in place by March. More than three-quarters of council staff voted for their workplace to become smoke-free. The city council will host a seminar for councillors on smoking and health on December 7.