2 Jun 2016

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Eighteen cafes and restaurants in Christchurch will make their outdoor dining areas smoke-free on a trial basis this summer.

The businesses have agreed to be part of the Cancer Society and the Canterbury District Health Board’s Fresh Air Project which involves getting businesses in the hospitality sector to trial smoke-free outdoor dining for a six month period.

Christchurch City Council has endorsed the trial which will officially begin on November 1.

The Council’s Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee were told on Thursday that 18 businesses had so far signed up to take part. They were Laneway Espresso, Café Metro (St Albans, Ferrymead and Merivale), Joe’s Garage Sumner, Emperor’s New Clothes, Antigua Boatshed, Raspberry Café, Taste at Riccarton House, The Tea House, Café 186, Addington Coffee Co-op, Ilex, Coffee Culture (Merivale and Sumner), Savoire, Hammersley Thai, and Under the Red Verandah.

“It’s great so many businesses have put their hands up to be part of this trial,’’ said Christchurch City Councillor Glenn Livingstone.

“I firmly believe that having smoke-free outdoor dining will be good for their businesses, good for their staff, and good for their customers.

“When cafes and restaurants went smoke-free indoors in 2003 their sales actually increased because they became more attractive places for families and for the majority of New Zealanders who don’t smoke.

“By the end of this trial we’ll hopefully see businesses committing to permanently making their outdoor spaces smoke-free,’’ Cr Livingstone said.

In mid 2014 the Cancer Society conducted a telephone survey with 445 people in Canterbury and the West Coast about their attitudes towards smoking in community spaces. That survey found nearly 81 per cent of respondents believed that outdoor eating places at restaurants, pubs and cafes should be smoke-free.

In Australia and the United States many outdoor public places have been smoke-free for many years. Brisbane established smoke-free outdoor dining in 2006 while Hobart followed suit in 2011. Melbourne has successfully introduced a number of smoke-free laneways in the central city.

Christchurch City Council has had a smoke-free policy in place at all Council-owned parks, playgrounds and sports fields since 2009. Last year it resolved to extend that policy to the main entrances and exits of Council buildings and facilities and to Council bus passenger shelters.

Compliance with the policy is voluntary and not enforced by the Council.