Coffee Culture, a coffee chain with 18 stores across Christchurch and the South Island, is banning smoking from all outdoor areas. The move follows a six-month pilot at stores in Merivale and Sumner and is part of the Fresh Air project, a collaboration between the Cancer Society and the Canterbury District Health Board.
"When we started the trial it was always about providing the best coffee experience and providing a healthier and more pleasant dining space for our guests and staff,” said Merivale store owner Glen Rewi. “Other store owners have seen how positive it's been for us, and the enthusiasm across all Coffee Culture stores to make the change has been huge."
A recent survey from the Cancer Society showed that 95 per cent of consumers supported smokefree outdoor dining.
"We thought that most Cantabrians would support smokefree outdoor dining, but even we've been surprised how much appetite there is for it, and the appetite is growing," said Cancer Society spokesman Martin Witt.
