Smokefree Policy

​Towards a smokefree nation

A smokefree city is part of the Auckland Plan. It aligns with the government's goal to become a smokefree nation by 2025.

Our Smokefree Policy 2017-2025 identifies:

• areas where we have responsibility
• the best way to make Auckland a smokefree city by 2025.

Aims of the policy

The policy aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Aucklanders by:

• reducing the number of smokers
• de-normalising smoking and vaping 
• providing public places that are free of cigarette smoke.

It does not propose to ban smoking.

The policy is promoted through:

• education
• raising awareness
• signage
• other forms of communication.

Get a copy of the Smokefree Policy 2017-2025

The Smokefree Policy 2017-2025 Implementation Plan

The plan identifies specific activities to create a smokefree city in four areas of responsibility:

• around our assets and facilities
• making our public places smokefree
• having smokefree events in the city
• informing the public of the smokefree goal.

The plan lists the areas that will become smokefree.

​Get a copy of the Smokefree Policy 2017-2025 Implementation Plan

​Auahi Kore Hapori Whānui

This plan explains how Auckland Council will help and support communities to reduce the number of smokers in areas where smoking is most popular.

The plan focuses on eight communities across the region:

• Henderson-Massey
• Glen Innes
• Point England
• Māngere
• Ōtāhuhu
• Ōtara
• Papatoetoe
• Manurewa
• Papakura.

Priority groups in these areas are:

• wāhine Māori
• Pacific males (aged 22 to 45)
• rangatahi/talavou and their families.

This community-led approach aims to reduce the number of new smokers and increase the number of people who successfully stop smoking.

Get a copy of Auahi Kore Hapori Whānui

Current smokefree areas

The areas that became smokefree when we adopted the policy are:

• all parks and reserves
• playgrounds
• skate parks
• sports fields
• beaches
• train stations and platforms, ferry terminals, bus stations and shelters
• plazas, civic squares, shared spaces and urban centres
• areas around sports clubs on council land
• outdoor dining areas on public land
• common areas of council housing
• public outdoor areas associated with the council:
• local board offices
• libraries
• stadiums
• swimming pools
• community facilities and halls
• museums
• the zoo
• wharves
• car parks
• leisure, recreation and arts centres
• some outdoor dining areas.

It is not illegal for people to smoke or vape in other outdoor public places, such as public footpaths.

Hospitality venues and outdoor dining

Restaurants, cafes and bars with licences to use the street pavement for their outdoor dining must make sure those spaces are smokefree.

We can provide a range of signs to let  your customers know about the smokefree rule.

Visit Smokefree signage for outdoor dining licence holders to order a sign.

Smokefree indoor areas

Smoking is banned in most indoor public places.

Make a complaint about tobacco sales, smoking or vaping

The National Public Health Service is responsible for enforcing the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.

It looks into complaints about:

• the sale and supply of tobacco, herbal smoking and vaping products to people under 18-years-old
• the retail display of tobacco and vaping products
• the advertising of tobacco and vaping products
• smoking and vaping in workplaces
• smoking and vaping in all hospitality venues and certain public places (such as premises with a licence to sell alcohol)
• smoking and vaping in schools, kura and early childhood centres
• the sale of toy tobacco and vaping products.

Visit National Public Health Service Northern Region to complain about a tobacco, smoking or vaping breach.

Smoking and vaping in a private residence

Public health cannot look into complaints about smoking or vaping in a private residence.

Smokefree Policy review 2016

The policy was reviewed in 2016 and the results of the review were presented to elected members at the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 4 August 2016.

Following this review, we updated the policy and developed a plan to provide greater focus and resources for smokefree initiatives. 

Get a copy of the review