Smoke Free Environments Forum
As expected, the forum was chock full of Hapai te Hauora staff, Cancer society staff and a plethora of tobacco control kaimahi. What was also very pleasing to see was the large number of Auckland city councilors who attended. And of course the head councilor himself, the first father of the super city, Mayor Len Brown.
It was fascinating to listen to Richard Foster a councilor of the great city of Melbourne, deemed to be one of the most livable cities in the world (much to the envy of Mayor Len Brown). As a former smoker, he described the journey of Melbourne becoming a smoke free city. Far from an overnight blanket ban, smoke free areas were methodically introduced. Precinct by precinct, street by street, month by month. So meticulous in fact that Melbourne can still not be classed as a smokefree city until midway 2017. It is also worth noting that Melbourne is one of the last major cities in Australia to introduce smokefree policy in public spaces, however, theirs is a great example of how to implement a policy into a community where there is a resistance to change.
Another pleasing point that was mentioned by Richard was the issue of enforcement. There is an anxiety that smokers will be targeted, harassed and discriminated against; however, the reality does not support this claim. Since the introduction of smoke free areas there has not been a single example of enforcement. People in general are ok with it. There was no need for threatening signs. In fact the councilor observed in other parts of the city where ‘no smoking’ signs were displayed, there was a tendency to provoke smokers to ‘light up’.
Ngarimu Blair gave a tangata whenua perspective and a personal perspective around smoking. Ngarimu retold how both his parents and many of his whānau smoked in a time when 2nd hand smoking harm was barley acknowledged. He also discussed the importance of maintaining the tapu and the integrity of ngā tupuna maunga by establishing a rāhui (prohibition) on tobacco, drugs and alcohol on the maunga. He also mentioned that while most people do not throw rubbish around when at the maunga, it still tends to be normal behavior amongst smokers to throw away cigarette butts when finished. These butts physically and spiritually pollute the maunga and eventually make their way to our water ways and eventually the sea.
Our very own Tayla-Jane Albert-Jones and Charlotte Mihaere gave a heartfelt talk about the importance to protect others from the harms of 2nd hand smoke. They talked about how they were hooked into smoking but despite that, they do not want others to be harmed by their second hand smoke. Being young mothers they were also very aware of the harms of 2nd hand smoke to their children and wanted laws in place to protect all children.
Next was Peter Le Cren and his colleague who gave a lawyers perspective on implementing smoke free bylaws. Surprisingly, their legal viewpoint created a lot of interest amongst participants because they were able to demonstrate the relative ease in which smoke free bylaws can be implemented. One option included a restaurant or café having Smokefree dining areas included as part of their contract with the Auckland Council. According to Peter, a council could simply add a no smoking clause to the contract. Being a unilateral agreement means there is little room for negotiation on behalf of the retailer; its a 'take it or leave it' scenario. Therefore as contracts near their conclusion, smoke free provisos on new contracts could be a easy and cost effective solution.
Our forum was closed by Leitu Tufuga who gave a passionate account of the importance of community action. Kaupapa such as these will only work with the support of the community. Involving the community and allowing them to take ownership of these bylaws is a critical component of effective sustainable policy. Fortunately, the vast majority of Aucklanders do support smoke free areas in public spaces, especially where children are concerned.
Perhaps the single most pleasing aspect of the forum was both the show of support from our leaders, coupled with the obvious support from the grass roots; the people. With an extraordinary 80% support for smoke free public areas, it was comforting to know we not only have the mandate of the people, but also have the support of our cities leaders.
If you would like to watch the videos of our speakers, please go to the following LINK
