New Plan to Ban Smoking in Public

Smoking could be banned in children’s playparks in Cumbria after the county council called on all districts to consider it. The health and wellbeing scrutiny committee made the call after hearing market research showed 70 per cent of people supported a ban on smoking in playgrounds. The research also indicated three quarters of those asked agreed children had the right not to be exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors. Councillor Bill Wearing, chairman of the committee, has raised the issue in the past and said he was in favour of a voluntary ban. “I’ve already come out in favour of a ban on smoking in children’s play areas – it’s clear that people find it socially unacceptable,” he said. “I’m delighted that the committee has agreed to ask district councils in Cumbria to take forward a voluntary code of practice to further protect children from the effects of smoking and I would urge them to do it.” The committee met in Kendal on Tuesday and agreed to ask the six district authorities to consider introducing the voluntary ban. It could not be introduced without consultation with the public but the committee said they hoped that the current strength of public opinion will against smoking would lead to widespread local community support. Mr Wearing, who represents Grange-over-Sands, said: “Smoking in playground areas is a problem. Play areas may be outdoors but they are enclosed by barriers or railings. “If you are in an enclosed area, even outside, and there are three or four people smoking, it doesn’t take long before there is a secondary effect.” Speaking when the idea was first raised by Mr Wearing in August, Ray Bloxham, who is Carlisle City Council’s spokesman for environment and housing, said: “My view as a reformed smoker is that we should do anything we can to stop people smoking. “But I think this would be difficult to regulate and police and I’m not sure it would be a priority for us. Littering and dog fouling would be a higher priority.” The committee heard that the average age for starting smoking in Cumbria is 14.7 years and that the Tobacco Free Futures campaign was urging the Government to impose plain packaging to stop it being attractive for young people to start smoking.