Friday 9 November 2012

Voluntary Smoking Ban in Playgrounds

Posters designed by local children asking people to ‘please take it away, we’re trying to play’ and not smoke in children’s play areas are now on display in Council play facilities across Hyndburn, as a new voluntary smoke free play area scheme is launched from 5th November.

The Council, in partnership with NHS East Lancashire and Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust has launched the voluntary ban to encourage people not to smoke in Council play areas, following a consultation with play facility users which revealed that most people would strongly support a voluntary ban. 

The signs, designed by 10 year old Lewis Padden, Zaria Hussain and Amber Grewer–Boys from St Mary’s RC Primary School in Oswaldtwistle will be installed at all Council play facilities from the 5th November.

Andrew Bentley, Teacher at St Mary’s said; “The children were really keen to be involved in the campaign to encourage people not to smoke around their play area. Amber came up with the slogan ‘please take it away, we’re trying to play’ whilst Lewis and Zaria came up with the design. We are keen to protect our children from second hand smoke, so we are all pleased that their work will be on display in play areas across Hyndburn asking people not to smoke in them.”

Karen Thompson, Public Heath Consultant for Hyndburn, said, “Through this great scheme we hope to discourage young people from taking up smoking and protect them from starting something that could ultimately kill them. When parents take their smoking right away from their children it sends a strong message that smoking is not acceptable. Most parents don’t want their children to smoke and want to take steps to protect them. This is part of the NHS campaign to make smoking history for children.”
Cllr Pam Barton, Cabinet Member for Health at the Council said; “When we asked play facility users about introducing a voluntary smoke free play area scheme there was lots of support for it. The code is voluntary and we are politely asking people not to smoke in play areas as most people don’t want children to pick up the smoking habit in the first place and children learn a lot through imitation.”

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