With the summer sun shining, and Invercargill’s inner-city set to see an increase in foot traffic, we’re reminding people to keep this area smoke and vapefree.

Invercargill City Council Manager Environmental Services Gillian Cavanagh said with more people expected to be out and about during the summer months, it was important to remember that there was a smoke and vapefree policy that covered from Spey to Tay streets, and Dee to Deveron streets.

Council’s Smokefree Policy aimed to increase the likelihood that people, particularly rangatahi, would remain smokefree by reducing the number of places where they saw others smoking, and improve the clean air environment of Invercargill, Cavanagh said.

“We want our whole community to be able to enjoy the city at this time of year,” she said.

“The foot traffic throughout the inner-city tends to climb higher as the temperature increases, and to ensure everybody is able to enjoy their time out-and-about, we’re encouraging people to be mindful and keep our streets smoke and vapefree.”

As well as the CBD, the policy also covered Council-owned Parks and Reserves (including the Queens Park Aviary and Queens Park Animal Reserve), playgrounds, sports fields, and Splash Palace and its car park.

The policy was not a ban on smoking in a public place and enforcement measures were not taken against those who breached the policy. Its purpose was simply to fulfil Council’s commitment to promote positive health choices and outcomes among city residents, Cavanagh said.

Bridget Forsyth from Smokefree Murihiku said the policy aimed to benefit the community as a whole.

“Smokefree and vapefree outdoor spaces help build healthier, safer communities by reducing the visibility of smoking and vaping. We all have the opportunity to support children in our community to stay free from nicotine addiction. This also makes it easier for people who have become smokefree or vapefree to stay that way, too,” she said.

The Southern Stop Smoking Service offers free community clinics and one-on-one support. To connect with the service, call 0800 925 242 or email admin@stopsmoking.nz

The smokefree policy applies year-round.