A Voluntary ban on smoking in children’s play areas has been introduced, after surveys indicating the move has widespread public backing.
The council carried out research showing that 83 per cent of people would be in favour of a ban on smoking within ten metres of council-owned playground areas for children and young people.
A report produced by the parks department claims three out of four children are aware of cigarettes before they reach the age of five.
It states: “The proposed implementation of smoke free playgrounds reduces child exposure to smoking and de-normalises tobacco use within the community.”
Coun Kerry Molineux, who sits on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and is a mum of three young children, said a voluntary smoking ban in play areas could “only be a good thing”.
She added: “Giving children the chance to grow up and play in a smoke free area will benefit them in more than one way, it has the obvious health benefits but the evidence also shows that children are less likely to take up smoking themselves if they aren’t brought up around it.
“I would be very happy to see the parks where my children play, adopt this policy.”
The consultation was based on responses from around 180 interviewees undertaken via parks friends groups and direct interviews in playgrounds. Just 56 of the respondents – or 31.1 per cent - said they, or someone they lived with, was a smoker.
Coun Tim O’Kane, chairman of the committee, said a further survey would be put in place in the next year to see how effective the voluntary bans were.
He added: “We were also asked if we support the ban throughout the whole park and we said no to that. Even the non smokers were saying we don’t think that’s totally fair.”
He added: “Smoking related deaths are so high in Hyndburn. Ten minibuses full of people die every year because of smoking related diseases so we have to do whatever we can about it.”
Coun O’Kane said signs would be placed at playgrounds in an attempt to put pressure on people not to light up while looking after their youngsters.
The proposed changes come five years after the smoking ban in pubs was introduced on July 1, 2007.
