Health issues on the table
Published on 09 July 2014
9 July 2014
Two items to be discussed at the Wanganui District Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on July 10 aim to reduce significant health issues for people in the district.
The Committee will consider a draft Wanganui Smokefree Outdoor Areas Policy which intends to reduce smoking in outdoor areas by providing education about its harmful effects.
The policy is a collaborative venture between the Council, Cancer Society, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, Mainstreet Wanganui and Whanganui Regional Health Network.
Chair of the Strategy and Policy Committee Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan says although the policy will be about providing people with education rather than punishment, she believes it will contribute to the overall wellbeing of individuals and whanau.
“Although the Whanganui District Health Board tells us that smokers are doing really well with attempts to quit, we are concerned that ‘normalising’ smoking in the central city makes it harder for people to stay smokefree. The Wanganui District has a high number of daily smokers aged between 14 and 15 and between 40 and 50 per cent of expectant mothers are smokers. We want to encourage smokefree areas to make it easier for people to stay smokefree and also discourage people from starting the habit.
“The policy includes promoting smokefree parks and playgrounds and a smokefree central commercial zone, which includes Majestic Square and the riverfront. We are also hoping to work with relevant organisations to promote Wanganui as a smokefree city and to have smokefree events. Our ultimate goal is to work with central government make New Zealand smokefree by 2025.”
If the policy is endorsed by the Council, an implantation plan will be developed within three months.
Also on the agenda is the Psychoactive Substances Local Approved Products Policy (LAPP), which will enable the Council to put restrictions on where approved psychoactive substances are sold.
Cr Baker-Hogan says the availability of psychoactive substances has had "very real health and social implications in our community”.
“There has been concern from people in our community, as well as from health and social agencies, about how these substances negatively affect people. I believe the work that local campaigners and organisations have done to highlight the significant community concerns contributed to the legislative about-turn we saw from Government in May.”
The proposed LAPP will allow retailers to sell approved products only within the central business district and a 300 metre gap would be required between sellers. No retailer would be able to sell products within 50 metres of educational, cultural or community facilities, places of worship, government departments, residential areas, pharmacies or certain bus stops.
“The intention of this policy is to reduce harm to people who use psychoactive substances and to try to prevent new users from getting involved with these drugs. By placing geographical restrictions on retailers, we are reducing both the availability and exposure of these substances to our community,” Cr Baker-Hogan said.
If the proposed LAPP is approved by the Strategy and Policy Committee it will go to the Council meeting on July 28 for approval, with submissions open to the public from July 29.