The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is banning smoking on 30 of its beaches.

Popular holiday spots including Waihi, Maketu and Athenree beaches will now become smokefree under the council's new bylaw along with public halls, playgrounds, parks, sports fields, skate parks and reserves.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia is commending the move. She says banning smoking in public spaces not only makes it harder for smokers to light up, but it helps reduce youth uptake of smoking.

Mrs Turia says the district council's unanimous decision to introduce the smoking bans is a reflection of its good community leadership and role modelling.