sondyaustin / Flickr

The majority of public submissions called for a ban on lighting up in outdoor eating areas, such as Vulcan Lane.

Auckland Council is to consider making pavement dining and public places such as beaches smokefree sooner than expected, after a large number of submissions from the public.

The council has already declared playgrounds and transport centres smokefree, and from the middle of this year other shared spaces such as plazas will also have the no smoking signs up.

The decision to speed up the next phase of its smokefree policy review follows hearings into the new Trading and Events in Public Places Bylaw, coming into effect on July 1.

Even though smokefree dining is not part of the bylaw, the majority of submissions on it called for a ban on lighting up in outdoor eating areas.

Of 1412 submissions, 1354 were from organisations such as the Cancer Society, Auckland Regional Public Health and many individuals concerned about the issue.

As a result the council has agreed to start a review of its smokefree policy this year, instead of next year as originally planned.

The review will look at whether a bylaw is the best way of managing smokefree public places.

The hearings panel on the trading bylaw felt the passion of submitters on the topic, chair Denise Krum said.

Follow this link:

Auckland to consider banning smoking on beaches, outdoor cafes