New Zealand / Regional

Adult venue fined for smoking by patrons & staff

12:53 pm on 21 May 2014

Smoking in unauthorised places by patrons and employees of a adult entertainment venue, has led to the company facing a rare charge in court, brought by the Ministry of Health.

Photo: 123RF

A Wellington adult entertainment venue, whose management allowed smoking in areas not authorised for that purpose, has been charged .

Splitrock 09 Ltd, which runs DreamGirls appeared in Wellington District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that patrons and staff from DreamGirls smoked in an entry way off Dixon Street, and despite repeated emails from the ministry, management failed to take any steps to ensure the area remained smoke-free.

The company's lawyer said DreamGirls is an R18 venue, so no children would be affected by the smoking, and his client had tried to cooperate with the ministry.

But Judge Ian Mill fined the company $1500 along with costs totalling almost $600.