Councils propose banning smoking and vaping in pedestrian laneways
Smoking and vaping will be a thing of the past in more places in Napier and Hastings if proposed changes to the cities’ shared Smokefree and Vapefree Policy are adopted.
Consultation on the revised Hastings District and Napier City Councils’ Smokefree and Vapefree Policy has opened this week and runs until May 29.
Playgrounds, parks, bus stops and areas outside council-owned buildings and facilities have been smokefree and vapefree since the policy was introduced in 2015.
The revised policy incorporates several minor amendments, such as making a small number of Council-managed pedestrian laneways in the Napier, Hastings and Taradale business districts smokefree and vapefree as well.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says the way the community and government view smoking has changed since the policy first came into being.
This includes the introduction of new legislation and regulations to reduce smoking, and a rise in vaping and the selling of vape products.
“From the beginning, our Councils’ policy has supported Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 and complimented the work of central government. We have a responsibility to promote wellbeing for all our residents.”
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the revisions are an effective way to update the policy to suit the communities of today.
“This is an opportunity for us to promote healthy living and protect the wider community.”
For more information, to view the proposed changes, and to provide feedback, go to sayitnapier.nz or myvoicemychoice.co.nz
