High numbers of young people taking up vaping - many who have never smoked cigarettes - partly prompted a move yesterday to ban the practice at Central Otago’s council-owned parks, playgrounds and facilities.

New signage will be erected and Cancer Society health promotion co-ordinator for Central Otago, Jamie Seymour, yesterday told the Central Otago District Council the group would assist with promoting the vaping-free message.

She said a “large cohort” of young people were now vaping and as research had progressed its damaging effects were becoming clearer.

The problem was growing with students even vaping on school buses. In Central Otago, according to the 2018 census, 87% of people were now non-smokers but this statistic did not account for vaping.

Excise taxes on tobacco products were not “par for par” on tobacco compared with vaping products, Jamie said.

Cancer Society health promotion coordinator, Jamie Seymour

Enforcement of the new ban was not perceived to be a problem, she said, as people could generally be relied upon to act appropriately.

Cr Martin McPherson agreed that people would likely ask someone to stop smoking or vaping in a banned area.

“People feel empowered now to turn around and say something. It’s the court of public opinion”

The change to the council’s existing smokefree policy would not be publicly consulted but would be reviewed on a three-year cycle, yesterday’s council meeting heard.

“There is plenty of evidence and it’s a great opportunity to take the lead and do the right thing”, Cr Neil Gillespie said.

The council have no control over the sale of vaping products.

Yesterday’s meeting was livestreamed due to Covid-19 restrictions and a link will be provided on the council website for anyone wishing to view proceedings. 

No council or community board meetings have been cancelled due to the pandemic this year with operations swiftly going online when lockdowns were announced.

The council excluded the public yesterday to discuss a minor boundary adjustment, the William Fraser Coal-fired boiler replacement, Lake Dunstan Water Supply Project report, a contract for the provision of Enviroschools education and internal council business.