Public smoking ban not favoured by Key

A proposal to ban smoking at beaches and other public places doesn't have the support of Prime Minister John Key, who thinks it is too "nanny state".

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service last week said it would urge tougher measures in a submission to the Maori affairs select committee's inquiry into the tobacco industry and the effects of tobacco use on Maori.

The Auckland service wanted the law banning indoor smoking at workplaces extended to playgrounds, outdoor eating areas, beaches, the area outside buildings, cars when a child under 16 is present, public transport stops and pedestrian malls.

Already many local authorities have banned smoking in areas used by children, such as playgrounds, sports fields and beaches.

The latest proposals would reduce smoking opportunities for workers and bar patrons, forced outside or onto the street by the smokefree environments law.

Mr Key told Breakfast on TV One that he personally disliked smoking.

"I've never smoked anything in my life and I don't like smoking," he said.

However, stopping people smoking in areas such as beaches seemed extreme. "I think its a big step to do that, I really do. I think there are certain places where it might make more sense, maybe a park where there's kids."

He said in large spaces like beaches it would be hard to demonstrate harm.

"I don't want to get into a nanny state where I am telling people absolutely how they run their lives in every form."

The ban on over the counter sales of pseudoephedrine was different and served New Zealand's interests, he said.

But banning smoking would not work any better than prohibition had stopped people drinking alcohol.