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 Information for Schools and Early Childhood Centres.