Invercargill City Council's review of its smokefree policy drew 40 formal submissions, split 18 for and 18 against, with four more backing it with changes, a council hearing was told on Tuesday 10 November.
A further 171 comments were left on a council social media post about the review. A council report said the "vast majority" of them opposed the policy or the idea behind it, Local Democracy Reporting said.
The policy covers the central business district, playgrounds, parks and reserves, and the Splash Palace pool complex. It sets out where people are asked not to smoke or vape.
No fines or infringement notices can be issued under it. The council says its aim is to "promote and support smokefree and vapefree public spaces".
Opponents said the policy was a waste of money or of council time, and that the council should stick to core services. Some said the money would be better spent on other community needs.
Others raised the cost of signs, the lack of enforcement and council overreach. Some smokers and vapers said they felt attacked or victimised, the report said.
"Some comments on social media and in submissions were strongly worded, and indicated intense feelings on this matter," the report said.
Supporters said smokefree spaces were now "expected nowadays", or that smoking and vaping should be kept away from children.
Tom Scott, a policy adviser with the National Public Health Service, spoke in favour of the policy at Tuesday's hearing.
"From our perspective, your team need to be congratulated on developing one of the strongest smokefree and vapefree policies in New Zealand," Mr Scott said.
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He pointed to work by Smokefree Murihiku showing that few people knew about the policy. In a Smokefree Murihiku survey, 70% of those who answered said they were unaware of it.
Mr Scott asked the council to draw up a plan to tell people about the rules.
Council manager Gillian Cavanagh said existing signs that were no longer working would be replaced. She said staff would work with the council's communications team on a campaign.
What happens next
The updated policy is expected to refer more clearly to vaping. Staff are also likely to be asked to seek more signs from the National Public Health Service.
Any changes, and any request for signs, must be approved by the council's community and regulatory committee and then by the full council.
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