Kapiti
Background
On 8 September 2008 Kapiti Coast District Council adopted a policy making all its parks, playgrounds, sports fields and events smokefree. The Council approved the installation of permanent smokefree signage. The signs use the theme of 'Hey Big People' with special thanks to CDHB in conjunction with Smokefree South Canterbury Committee. Kapiti Smokefree parks are being launch in December 2008.
Policy
- Smokefree Parks and Playground Policy, Kapiti Coast District Council
- Reports and Recommendations from Standing Comittees and Community Boards, 1st October 2008
Evaluation
The Kapiti Coast Smokefree Outdoor Public Places Evaluation Report (November 2009) is available here.
News
Kapiti Community says, 'It's about the kids!'
By Hutt Valley DHB
Recent research carried out by the Cancer Society, Kapiti PHO, Otaki PHO and Regional Public Health indicates a high level of community support for smokefree parks and playgrounds.
Park users were surveyed at Maclean Park, Campbell Park, Waikanae Park, Marine Gardens, Mazengarb Reserve and Huratai Park. Of those surveyed, 75 percent of people think that people should not be able to smoke at children’s playgrounds. 61 percent of people strongly disagree with the statement “ it’s okay to smoke around non smokers”.
Lucy Butler, Public Health Advisor, Regional Public Health, says “community enforced educational policies rely on community support, and feedback from smokers and non-smokers has been very positive”.
The aim of the educational smokefree outdoors policy is to normalise non-smoking and encourage positive role models for both children and young people in Kapiti.
It’s about the kids – showing them that smoking is not a ‘normal’ activity will reduce the likelihood they will start to smoke.
This is for a smokefree generation and smokefree environments are a valuable strategy to de-normalise smoking.
Source: http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=0&id=27326
Further Information
Lucy Butler
Health Promotion Advisor
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
Regional Public Health
Hutt Valley District Health Board
Lower Hutt, Wellington
Tel: 045709002
Email: Lucy.Butler@huttvalleydhb.org.nz
Marguerita Harris
Executive Secretary
Community Assets and Services
Kapiti Coast District Council
Email: Marguerita.Harris@kapiticoast.govt.nz 