Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in New Zealand, accounting for around 4,300 to 4,700 deaths per year.
When the deaths caused from exposure to second-hand smoke are included, this estimate increases to around 5,000 deaths per year.
Councils throughout New Zealand are progressively increasing smokefree outdoor public spaces beyond parks, playgrounds and sports fields, to areas such as outdoor dining, transport hubs, CBDs, beaches, Council owned buildings and funded events, social housing and other designated public and civic spaces.
Maps of NZ Councils' Smokefree Outdoor Policies and Spaces
Kaipara District Council adopted a Smokefree Kaipara policy (Policy) in February 2023.
This Policy supports central Government’s goal of smokefree New Zealand by 2025 (SF2025); which aim to reduce the smoking population to less than 5%.
The Policy supports organisations responsible for delivering the SF2025 initiatives, and identifies the areas within the Kaipara District that are smokefree and vapefree.
The Policy has been developed with input from Te Whatu Ora-Northland District Health Board and the Cancer Society Northland.
What does the policy cover?
The following areas in the Kaipara district will be smokefree and vapefree:
- Council owned or controlled parks, playgrounds, sports fields, reserves and skate parks
- swimming pool complexes
- Bus and taxi shelters
- Inside Council owned or controlled, or operated social or pensioner housing
- All Council-owned or controlled facilities or buildings including the immediate surrounding outdoor
- All Council-funded, administered, and supported events will be smokefree/vapefree.
- Council will partner with Te Whatu Ora, local businesses, organisations, and agencies to encourage and support any business or organisation that wishes to become a smokefree/vapefree area.
Vaping
To support compliance to this Policy and to eliminate confusion, smoking, vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes) and the use of heated tobacco products (HTP) are included in this Policy.
Want help to stop smoking?
There are a range of FREE stop smoking services that can help.
Quitline
Offering 24/7 online, text and phone support and subsidised nicotine replacement therapy – patches, gum and lozenges.
Quitline 0800 778 778
Toki Rau Stop Smoking Services Northland
FREE Northland-wide stop smoking service offering face-to-face support which can be provided in an individual, whānau/family or group setting.
FREE nicotine replacement therapy to support you on your journey to quit/become smokefree. This includes gum, lozenges and patches. We can also advise you about other non-funded stop smoking medicines available.
0508 TOKI RAU (0508 8654 728)
Smokefree Resources
A range of FREE smokefree resources can be accessed here.
