There’s a Proposed Smoking Ban on Wellington's Waterfront Under Way

Smokers, your days of peacefully enjoying the waterfront view and indiscreetly passing on second-hand smoke to others may be coming to an end.

The picturesque surroundings of Wellington’s waterfront may no longer be friendly to dart-puffing-Wellingtonians, should a proposal to prohibit smoking on the waterfront and in Civic Square by the end of the year succeed. The Public Health Association addressed the council during public hearings on its Waterfront Development Plan, saying Wellington would be leading the way if it adopted a ban, and asking the council to take leadership over the matter.

"There is no smokefree waterfront [in New Zealand] ... Wellington has one of the best waterfronts, it has this great potential for improving the image and to make it smokefree would add a unique and very important element to this image," George Thomson said on the association's behalf.

Trinity Group director Jeremy Smith, whose businesses include waterfront bar St. John’s, said that smoke was not a problem on the waterfront, as outdoor areas were large and smoke was swiftly blown away. He said the move would drive away people who chose to partake in a legal activity, further confining the areas in which they could socialise.

Deputy Mayor Justin Lester said that there was no reason why the move shouldn’t happen, saying that it was not a “big ask”. As well as the benefits to health, and reducing litter, the proposed ban was a chance for Wellington to show leadership towards the national goal of being smokefree by 2025, said Lester.

"The waterfront would be an excellent place to start, and there's no reason why we shouldn't look to roll that out into future public places."

Lighters out. Smokers, puff on them seaside durries while you can (or don't).