In support of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025, Council is asking Wellingtonians to clear the air in their favourite pubs, bars, and other venues. All hospitality venues in Wellington with outdoor dining on Council land will become smoke- and vape-free from 1 March 2023.
This is similar to a ban placed on Auckland hospitality venues in 2017 and means that businesses with dining areas that extend onto the footpath will become smoke- and vape-free. This change does not affect smoking areas on private land, such as balconies, backyard dining areas, rooftops or outdoor dining that is not on Council-owned land.
When the ban came into effect in Auckland, Hospitality NZ said at the time that the policy unfairly targeted some venues over others.
In Aotearoa, about 8 percent of the population smokes and another 8 percent vapes – the goal is to reduce this to less than 5 percent of the population.
Manager of Wellington City Council Public Health Group, Helen Jones, said this change is showing Wellington’s contribution to a nationwide movement.
