Legal Requirements
Smoke-free Environments Act 1990
The Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 requires that management of schools/kura (including early childhood centres) take "all reasonably practicable steps" to ensure no person smokes anywhere in the school/kura or its grounds at any time.
What You Need to Do
- Ensure that all buildings and grounds are smokefree, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (there are no exemptions).
- Display signs stating that smoking is prohibited at all times at entrances to premises and buildings.
Helpful Ideas to Assist with this Process
- Have you taken all reasonably practicable steps to ensure all visitors know about the requirements? For example, do you include regular reminders about being smokefree in your newsletter?
- Do you ensure that other users of your school grounds know about the legal requirements? For example, you could include a smokefree clause in any contract or lease with those wishing to use, hire or manage facilities on your grounds.
- Have you thought about practicable steps to take if someone does smoke on site? For example, you may want to develop a simple complaints procedure or an action plan.
More Information
The Smokefree Law fact sheet (
293Kb) on schools serves as a guide to maintaining your smokefree school site. Visit the Smokefree Law website at www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/wpg_Index/About-smokefreelaw-schools.
For information and support in your area, please contact a smokefree worker at your nearest Public Health Unit.
Signage
See Signage for more on requirements and where you can obtain signs.