The smoke tests around Wellington have found highest levels of air pollution. The fine particles pollution across the partially enclosed outdoor smoking areas of bars, cafes and restaurants was an average 72mcg per cubic meter of air. The smoke test was conducted by the researchers of Otago University. The level of smoke was even higher inside the bars in areas next to the outdoor smoking areas. The average fine particles pollution was found to be 54mcg per cubic meter.

Following the smoke test, the researchers are planning to ban outdoor smoking at bars, cafes and restaurants. The researchers urges on smoke free hospitality venues, as are found in parts of Canada, the US and Australia.

Astrolabe Restaurant and Bar manager Ken Greenhill said that the outside is very huge they have not targeted it as an outside smoking area but nobody complained about the smoking ban there.

The smoking controls are planned keeping in view the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke has adverse impact on children which causes 50 deaths a year and thousands of cases of illness.