CAMPAIGNERS pressing for smoke free playgrounds paid a visit to Pembrokeshire County Council last week.
Members of voluntary organisation ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) Wales met with councillors at County Hall in Haverfordwest.
The campaigners handed in a 250-signature petition to Councillor Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Education and Councillor Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Safeguarding and Children’s Services.
Pembrokeshire is one of only three local authorities in Wales that has not yet implemented a playground smoking ban.
Councillor Rowlands said he was keen to see Pembrokeshire support the anti-smoking initiative.
“The dangers of smoking - and passive smoking - are well documented these days. Playgrounds in particular are no place for smoking and if there’s anything we can do to discourage it, we should.”
Felicity Waters of ASH said she had been encouraged by the enthusiasm of councillors to introduce a ban on smoking across the county’s playgrounds.
“We believe that smoking has no place in children’s play areas,” she said.
“Not only will a ban protect children from the harm of second hand smoke but it will also discourage the perception that it is a normal harmless activity in a family friendly environment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article