Second push for Auckland smoking ban

Press, 27 June 1989, Page 5

Second push for Auckland smoking ban

PA Auckland An Auckland city councillor, Ms Lorraine Wilson, is trying again to have a smoking ban introduced in Auckland. In May the plan for smoke-free public places was voted out by six councillors on the works committee, in spite of a strong argument by the Mayor, Dame Cath Tizard, and other women councillors. Ms Wilson has now tabled a notice of motion for the July 6 council meeting to follow the advice of the city health inspector, Mr John Campbell, and introduce the bylaw.

Ms Wilson wants a law similar to one introduced in Waitemata which creates smoke-free zones in shops, lifts, banks and health-care centres. Ms Wilson said she was receiving much support for the ban from the public and medical experts, such as Green Lane Hospital’s cardiologist team.

“I think it will be very damaging if we don’t go with it,” she said.

“The council can do something about the smoking epidemic. It’s a greater killer in New Zealand than A.1.D.5..”

Unexpected countries, such as India, were introducing clean-air by-laws and joining the growing number of countries addressing the smoking problem, Ms Wilson said.

New information available on passive smoking showed the situation was grim. The lobby group, Action on Smoking and Health, has asked the Auckland City Council to take a lead in the antismoking issue by creating smoke-free zones in all its buildings, including Aotea Centre. It has also requested that the council require all workplaces to provide smoke-free zones. A.S.H.’s chairwoman, Dr Francesca Sewell, said councils could lead the way by creating smokefree zones in their own buildings, in cinema and theatre foyers, shops, banks and restaurants.

“We are now asking for 75 per cent of restaurants seating 15 or more patrons to be smoke free,” she said. A new request was that bars, hotels and nightclubs should become smoke free two nights a week.

On nights when smoking was permitted, prominent signs should warn passive smokers of the dangers to their health.

“Our community deserves more protection from airborne toxins than they are getting from their councils,” Dr Sewell said.

Evidence suggested New Zealand had 273 deaths a year from passive smoking, she said.