Submissions on Maitland City Council’s draft policy close on July 23 and, if adopted, would outlaw smoking in Maitland’s Heritage Mall and Walka Water Works, as well as council-run and sponsored events such as Hunter Valley Steamfest and New Year’s Eve celebrations in central Maitland.

There was opposition to the draft policy when it was presented to councillors at a meeting on June 9.

But the council resolved to exhibit the document with submissions to be provided to councillors at the conclusion of the exhibition period, followed by a councillor briefing before the draft was finalised.

Port Stephens adopted its policy in December 2008, which covered children’s playgrounds, alfresco dining areas and beaches, as well as parks and reserves.

Council environmental services manager Bruce Petersen said bans were in place at children’s playgrounds, and the policy was being extended to sporting fields.

“Signage at sport facilities will commence this month, however it will be phased in and will take a while for all facilities to be completed,” he said.

“Failure to comply with a sign in a public place may result in a $220 on-the-spot fine, however the council will rely on co-operation and education rather than taking a heavy-handed approach.”

A $250 on-the-spot fine will also be imposed for smoking in a car with children younger than 16 under new State Government legislation, described by Coalition frontbencher Tony Abbott as “Nanny State politics” on a national radio program on Thursday.

He said being “hard hearted to your kids” and not encouraging them to be their best were worse parental crimes than “something, in my view, as trivial as smoking while the kids are in the car”.