LEAD: Lighting up? Not in our back yard!

24th May 2008

KATE NEWTON

The war on smoking has been stepped up a level in Hawke's Bay with parks, playgrounds and sportsgrounds to be declared smokefree by the end of the month.

From May 31, Smokefree Day, lighting up at any of those recreational zones in Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and Wairoa will be considered taboo, with signs being erected this week.

The action has been backed by the local councils and Napier City Council is adopting a similar stance.

The policy will be community-enforced, with no ``smoking police', as councils are unable to enact bylaws in the interest of community health. Hawke's Bay and Chatham Island Smokefree Coalition chairman, Cassino Te Rangi, said the move was part of the organisation's attempt to denormalise smoking.

``Hawke's Bay is unfortunately ranked as the fourth-highest smoking district in New Zealand - we need to make smoking an uncommon sight in our society so our children and teenagers are not influenced to start,' Mrs Te Rangi said.

Signs are going up at recreational grounds with messages such as: ``Hey big people, we copy what we see ... so keep our playground smokefree.'

The coalition comprises 17 organisations including Cancer Society Hawke's Bay, the National Heart Foundation, Eastern Netball, HB Asthma Foundation and Diabetes Hawke's Bay.

Community paediatrician Russell Wills said he was convinced the step was necessary for improving children's health in Hawke's Bay.

``Smokefree parks and playgrounds are a huge step forward for child health.

``Our teenagers take up smoking at very high rates in Hawke's Bay,' Dr Wills said. ``As a society we need to take every opportunity for children to see that smoking is not a normal thing to do.'

Colin Stone, CEO of Sport Hawke's Bay, said he believed the policy would make adults positive role models.

``This is important as evidence indicates children and young adults learn from observing others and tend to follow the behaviour of role models,' Mr Stone said.

It is also hoped the initiative will reduce cigarette-related litter and the risk of fire.

Hawke's Bay is not the first region to take such an approach.

In 2005 South Taranaki District Council made public swimming pools, halls and libraries smokefree. South Wairarapa Council also had smokefree playgrounds, and Masterton and Carterton district councils are considering doing the same.

Later this year Queenstown Lakes District Council will decide whether to extend its ban on smoking at playgrounds and swimming pools to include sportsfields.