Smokefree outdoor spaces

Smokefree Public Spaces 

There are many things we can do help achieve the Government goal to make New Zealand Smokefree by 2025. One of these is to make more public spaces smokefree. Some of these public places include:

• Central Business Districts
• Parks
• Playgrounds
• Sports grounds

It is important to increase the number of smokefree public spaces as it protects our children as well as supporting those who are on their journey to stop smoking.

In Otago and Southland, our councils have implemented smokefree spaces. See the map linked below to see which smokefree outdoor policies and spaces have been implemented by councils. 

Smokefree Outdoor Dining

Fresh Air Project - Otago and Southland 

This project is about encouraging and supporting hospitality venues to have smokefree outdoor dining areas. Fresh Air Pilots have been done in a number of cities in New Zealand which showed that the majority of customers are supportive of hospitality venues having smokefree outdoor dining and were more likely to visit again.

There are a number of reasons why you should consider making your venue smokefree. These include:

• It protects customers and staff from the harms of second-hand smoke
• It protects our children – Children copy what they see!
• It reduces litter

The Southern DHB can support you and your transition to become a smokefree venue by providing you with:

• Signage
• Support for staff to stop smoking
• Help with how staff can approach customers who smoke in your smokefree area

There are now a number of hospitality venues which are smokefree in Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill. Check out the Fresh Air Project website  to see where smokefree outdoor dining is available in the Otago and Southland region.

Want to make you outdoor dining area smokefree?

Check out this guide which details what it means to be a smokefree hospitality venue. Email us for support with making your outdoor dining area smokefree.