An Auckland cafe owner says staff will need training in implementing the forthcoming ban on smoking in al fresco dining areas on pavements.
Outdoor dining areas, beaches and civic squares will all be off limits for smokers in Auckland from next month as the council strengthens its smokefree policy.
Outdoor dining is a drawcard for the Mission Bay Cafe, but now it'll be smokefree.
It'll be up to restaurant and cafe owners to ask people to stub it out.
"I don't think it will be too onerous for us to ensure that no one does smoke here. Sure we'll have to do a little bit of training with our staff maybe in how to handle that," said Mission Bay Cafe owner Mark Goldstine.
"We do get quite a few comments from customers who are eating about smoke coming in their way, and I think they are going to be a lot happier."
The Cancer Society says it's also a good move for staff.
John Loof of the Cancer Society says it'll be cleaner and safer for everyone and Mark Goldstine of Mission Bay Cafe says it will enhance the dining experience.
"Certainly the dangers of secondhand smoke are well documented and well known. And there are many cases of cancer each year that are attributed to secondhand smoke," said John Loof, Cancer Society Auckland chief executive.
Soon signs will go up, including on beaches, saying 'this is a smokefree area'.
It won't be policed and smokers won't be fined, but the council hopes peer pressure will make a difference.
"It gives people the opportunity to point to a sign and say 'look mate, probably not here, maybe somewhere else'. So the community police it," said Penny Hulse, Auckland councillor.
Christchurch did a six-month smokefree trial with 20 restaurants and Wellington is already smokefree on council-owned property.
All states in Australia are ahead of us, and Mr Loof says "it's time for New Zealand to catch up."
Auckland's move is another step towards New Zealand becoming smokefree by 2025.
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