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Smokers to be banned from lighting up in playgrounds
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard21 Feb 2008
A London borough is to introduce a smoking ban in children's play areas.
The plan is thought to be the first of its kind in the capital and backers say it ensures fresh air for children as they play.
But critics say the scheme will be unenforceable.
Liberal Democrat councillor Bruce Glithero led the push for a ban, which was approved by Sutton council.
He said: "As the father of four daughters we often like to go to the park, but recently I was sitting at the side of the sandpit when I turned around to see one of my four-year-old twins spluttering.
At first I thought she had swallowed some sand, but then I realised she was coughing because smoke from a woman sitting nearby was blowing directly into her face. It seemed so unfair.
"The main reason people go to the park is to enjoy some fresh air, and this move aims to protect that."
The scheme will be trialled at Beddington Park. Backers hope it will be extended across the borough.
Signs will inform smokers of the new rules, which will be enforced by Safer Neighbourhood Teams. But the ban will not be legally enforceable and so will have to rely on public co-operation.
Tory councillors claim the cost of the signage for the trial alone will be around £860 of public money. Councillor Marion Williams said: "At heart this is well-intentioned but it is actually quite daft, unenforcable and expensive. The funding for these very expensive signs should be better spent on improving playground facilities.
"Also the suggestion that local police teams could be asked to help enforce this is nonsense. Some of my business contacts tell me that parents are reluctant to challenge others if they're smoking in the area, and that some children are no longer being taken to the playground at all, therefore missing out on the exercise and activity entirely.
"We wish the Lib-Dems who approved this would use their common sense rather than trying to ban things wholesale. What is the point of spending money on signs which have no real power?"
But a similar scheme in Exeter has already been hailed a success. In October last year 50 no smoking signs were put up across the city and officials say smokers have complied.
The move is not the first time Sutton council has tried to restrict smoking. In 2006 councillors tried to stop people lighting up in their own homes.
Under the proposal, council tenants would not have been allowed to smoke while being visited by health workers and staff such as those delivering meals on wheels. But the council withdrew the plan in the face of fierce opposition.
Reader views (4)
For once I agree with the Tories - the article states quite clearly that it is not legally enforceable. This is misuse of public money and someone should be held to account.
- Tich, Britain, 29/02/2008 14:43
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I totally support all smoking bans.
I nearly died from passive smoke in a taxi cab when I was expecting my youngest daughter. I got out coughing and wheezing right away, but it was too late and I was seriously ill from it and had to stay in hospital.
I've had several severe reactions like this from cigarette smoke, usually out in the street since I could not go into a pub before the ban due to this allergy, but even most anti-smoking people forget how allergic some people can be to cigarette smoke. In my case it could be deadly allergy. I do my best to avoid it and even have to avoid bus stops where someone is smoking. I support smoking bans especially if we can ban it in homes and cars around children. It was more than likely my mother's smoking and large amounts of passive smoking that caused my severe allergy to smoke to develop.
- Lesley Dove, Hampton, 22/02/2008 12:22
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I think a study needs to be done to show just how much more dangerous a group of parents smoking out in the fresh air is when compared to the exhaust of the 15 year old bus that passes every half hour to see if it really makes sense.
Non smokers got their ban on smoking in an enclosed public space, this is nothing more than simple interference in other people's lives by ignorant people with little else to do than complain about other people.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't want to be the person who approaches me outdoors and demands I stop smoking.
Get real, get a grip and get a life and stop making idiots of yourselves.
- Urin Maface., London, 22/02/2008 09:22
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Is this ban meant for the children or the adults?
Just wondered.
- N Grinsell, london, 21/02/2008 22:10
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