Smokefree Lower Hutt

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand, with over 5,000 New Zealanders dying every year from tobacco related disease. Non-smokers are at risk too, with 500 deaths per year estimated to be from exposure to second-hand smoke.

We’re leading the way to ensure that Lower Hutt:

• is a healthy community
• has a healthy natural environment with clean air, water and land
• has a built environment that is attractive, safe and healthy.

Find out more below about how our policy is working to make Lower Hutt a healthier place to live, learn, work and play. We have information for communities, people who want to quit smoking, workplaces, and businesses who want to support and achieve a smokefree Lower Hutt.

Smokefree places in Lower Hutt

Our Smokefree Outdoor Public Places Policy (PDF 296.1 KB) is helping raise a smokefree generation by making smoking less visible in our public places where young people spend their time. We also want to raise a vapefree generation.

The following places are smokefree:

• Playgrounds
• Outdoor public swimming pools
• Parks, sports grounds and skate parks
• Bus shelters, bus stops and train stations
• Beaches
• Outdoor public areas around Council buildings and facilities
• Council run and funded events
• Outdoor pavement dining areas
• Lower Hutt CBD and suburban centres

Lower Hutt’s Smokefree Policy

Our Smoke Free Outdoor Public Places Policy is being rolled out in stages and aims to reduce smoking and the impact of second-hand smoke.

We know that children 'do as they see'. We we want to make smoking less normal by making it less visible for our children, and raise a smokefree generation.

Smokefree public places make it easier for smokers to quit and stay smokefree. We're also linking smokers to quit support to make quitting easier.

Recent news

• More smokefree public spaces given a boost. Even more of our public spaces now covered by an extended smokefree policy, including Lower Hutt's CBD, suburban centres and bus stops. 
• Wainuiomata town centre designated smokefree. We endorsed the recommendation from the Wainuiomata Community Board to designate Queen Street as smokefree.
• Queensgate proud to be smokefree. Queensgate Shopping Centre in Lower Hutt took action to promote its outdoor spaces as smokefree, making the Queensgate experience even better for customers and retailers. 

• Mo Town Café owners Cate and Jason Hall talk about making their café smokefree and how it creates a family friendly environment, without affecting their custom.
• Watch Ray Wallace - former Lower Hutt Mayor talk about achieving a smokefree Lower Hutt and raising a smokefree generation.