The city council is making a second attempt to convince the Government to allow them to impose and enforce smoking bans in outdoor areas.

Council staff could be given power to fine people smoking outside bars and cafes and in other designated smokefree public places if a Palmerston North proposal is supported.

The city council decided on Tuesday to have another go at convincing the Government to change the law so local authorities could impose and enforce smoking bans in outdoor spaces.

The proposal comes in the shape of a remit to Local Government New Zealand seeking other councils' support for the approach to Government.

The remit, proposed by Cr Chris Teo-Sherrell, would ask the Government to give local authorities the power to impose smokefree rules in certain outdoor areas and make it an infringement for people to smoke there.

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At the moment, the only place an individual can be fined for lighting up is in an aircraft.

Last year, councillor Lew Findlay presented a remit to Local Government NZ calling for central Government to extend smokefree legislation to include smoking in public places outside restaurants, cafes and bars.

The Manawatu Cancer Society applauded the initiative.

But although the remit was supported by Local Government, there has been no action from the Government.

The council has introduced its own efforts to discourage smoking outside cafes and bars by making the display of smokefree signage a condition for permits issued to allow outdoor dining on public property.

However, there was no power to act if people chose to smoke in those areas anyway.

Teo-Sherrell said the new approach gave central Government another option, because it would pass responsibility to councils.

He said more had to be done if the goal of a Smokefree community by 2025 was to be achieved.

"It's a highly desirable goal that will enhance the health of the community, reduce costs to the community through lost work days and childhood sickness.

"It's one more part of trying to stop the next generation from smoking."

Cr Adrian Broad, who is also a MidCentral District Health Board member, said he was happy to support any initiatives to discourage smoking.

"I've seen the effects it has on people, and the pressure it puts on the health system."

Mayor Grant Smith, however, was lukewarm about the proposal.

"Although it is well-principled, I can't support it. Education is the way.

"I think this is going a step too far, and I struggle to see why we have to be the first on everything."

The proposed remit was supported by 11 votes to 3. Councillors Vaughan Dennison and Leonie Hapeta were the others to oppose it.

Heart Foundation Manawatu heart health advocate Sally Darragh supported the council's proposal.

"It would be the logical next step. It's another way to encourage people to give up, and the big thing is discouraging young people and children from ever taking it up."

She said in Australia where there were enforcement powers, smokers had been generally happy to comply with smokefree rules.