Smoking ban idea for children's playgrounds

CHILDREN’S playgrounds in Hull could become “smoke-free zones” under new proposals.

The idea, which has yet to be discussed with the city council, has surfaced in a draft plan by the multi-agency Humber Alliance on Tobacco, whose motto is “making non-smoking the norm”.

The discussion document says there would be a number of benefits including children not being “subjected to subliminal messages”, but states that a potential barrier is the “will of local authorities”.

Asked about how it would work the city’s director of public health Wendy Richardson said it would not be by way of bylaw or legislation “but through a groundswell of opinion that denormalises smoking in front of young people”.

Dr Richardson said the ideas were at an early stage: “What I am saying is that we have a head of steam across the city that realises smoking is bad for the health and a sufficient head of steam for lots of people to come to us saying help us in our own little social group or childrens centre or playground to make sure everyone has the information they need to make sure they are not smoking in front of children.

“Certainly what we are not talking about is putting notices across the city. We know from other cities that doesn’t work.”

However the move is likely to get short shrift with some politicians. Council leader Carl Minns recently declared his opposition to extending the existing smoking ban.

The non-smoker said such a move “would fundamentally undermine civil liberties and freedom of choice” and would also be unenforceable.

Writing on his blog he said it was all about “imposing lifestyle choices on people for their own good. This is just plainly illiberal and not acceptable.”