The Otago Smokefree Group wants smoking banned in Dunedin's playgrounds, but the idea did not appear popular with councillors.
The group's submission said increasing smoke-free environments contributed to fewer young people smoking.
The less they saw adults smoking, the less ‘‘normal'' it seemed. Adults using playgrounds would be role models for young people if they did not smoke.
Other areas considering banning smoking in public places frequented by young people included Queenstown, Invercargill and Christchurch, health promotion adviser Dave Gibbs said.
Cr Kate Wilson said anti-smoking advocates did not want people to smoke inside where there were children.
She wondered where people could go where they could smoke and supervise children.
The submission suggested an educational policy towards banning smoking in playgrounds, rather than an enforcement policy, and promoting the idea through publicity and signs.
