Government in the region is planning to ban smoking on the footpaths but the idea is not being liked by the smokers, especially the Southern smokers, who fear criminal taint.

Southern smokers are worrying big regarding the decision because they feel that the law will force them to behave like criminals whenever they want to enjoy a puff.

Highlighting upon the benefits of the decision, Ms. Rana Weir, of Invercargill, said that the ban will severely affect the current ongoing trend and will punish the smokers worst.

"A ban on smoking on footpaths and in shopping areas would make smoking cigarettes like smoking drugs", she said. "Smokers would have to sneak around like criminals”.

But the same idea is being said to be a harsh decision for the smokers by none other than the Public Health South team leader, Ms. Anne McSoriley.

She adds that the region has a big population of smokers and people addicted to tobacco. Smoking outside is common among them and thus the decision could terribly affect them.

In context to same, an appeal to ban smoking in streets has also come from researchers, who have called on councils to impose a blanket ban nationwide to stop smoking in city streets as pedestrians are exposed to higher risks of such harmful particles.