Health authorities in Auckland have proposed a smoking ban in all public outdoor areas in the city, saying the move will prevent the spread of the ill effects of second-hand smoke, as well as the influence among children who are likely to pick up the habit.

Andy Roche and Dr. Lavinia Perumal of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service forwarded the proposal, which is supported by the district health boards in Auckland, Counties-Manukau and Waitemata.

The proposed ban would include the city centre, parks, playgrounds, sports grounds, stadia, parts of beaches, council-controlled lands such as around the Auckland Museum and art gallery, and events supported by the council, such as Pasifika, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Proponents of the smoking ban say the Auckland council should comply with the Cancer Society's request to restrict cigarette or tobacco smoking in open spaces, parks, sports fields and playgrounds, as well as in malls and pedestrian areas.

"We are disappointed that the council's commitment to having smoke-free public spaces is lacking in the Draft Plan, and believe a smoke-free policy that covers the entire Auckland Council region should be implemented to ban outdoor smoking in order to protect children from second-hand smoke ... and ultimately to prevent uptake of smoking among young people," the proponents wrote.

Quoting a study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the smoking ban proponents said the highest second-hand smoking hazard was at outdoor smoking areas of hospitality venues, followed by areas inside bars next to outdoor smoking areas.

Health service compliance officers also often received complaints about air flow between outdoor smoking areas and inside hospitality venues.

In July 2011, an Auckland Council meeting rejected councillor George Wood's proposal to have smokers banned from taking cigarette breaks and gathering in front of buildings in the city and blowing smoke around other people's way.

Mr Wood told the Herald on Wednesday he could not believe other councillors refused to support him, but he had not given up.

Cancer Society Auckland Chief Executive John Loof said on Wednesday that 12 local boards had adopted SmokeFree Auckland policies, starting with local playgrounds and parks.

The Herald also reported a survey by the Cancer Society, which showed 96.2 per cent of local board members supported smoke-free bus and train stations and 92.3 per cent wanted bans at playgrounds.