No-smoking plans put in place

3 December 2004

No-smoking plans put in place by hospitality industry

With the smoking ban in workplaces and licensed premises just a week away, most operators in the hospitality industry in New Zealand are ready for the new regime, albeit reluctantly. Hospitality Association of New Zealand chief executive, Bruce Robertson, says the industry has worked hard to get ready for the law change and many have created areas where smokers can step outside and have a puff.

The new legislation makes it illegal to smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars in licensed areas from 10 December.

Mr Robertson says that for some operators the creating of “smoking areas” has been an expensive exercise.

“The truth is that well ventilated areas provide very acceptable environments for non-smokers and staff but the Government has gone down the no-smoking track and the common-sense solution went out the window,” he said. “Smokers and non-smokers will all be catered for in the best way our members can manage and we’re looking forward to patrons co-operating,” he said.

Hospitality venues are places where people want to go to be entertained, meet eat drink and have fun. That hasn’t changed and the industry is looking to continue to offer first class hospitality to both non-smokers and smokers. Mr Robertson says the industry is particularly keen to see all those strong advocates of smoke-free bars support their advocacy by increasing the patronage of bars from 10 December.

ENDS

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