POLL: Should smoking be banned around playgrounds?

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Parents have expressed concerns about people smoking around playgrounds saying their children are being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.

There are currently no regulations against smoking around playgrounds on the island as evidence shows second-hand smoke is not as harmful in open spaces as it is indoors.

As part of the States' Tobacco Control Strategy 2010- 2015, which aims to reduce the population's exposure to the harm of second-hand smoke, the Public Health Department conducted a Smokefree consultation in 2013. This concluded that although there is evidence of the dangers of second-hand smoke on children in indoor spaces, the direct health impact from breathing second-hand smoke in outdoor spaces is weaker.

Therefore, although smoking in cars while carrying passengers under the age of 18 was made illegal on 1 September 2015, there is no plan to restrict smoking in outdoor spaces, including play areas. 

Dr Martin Knight, Director of Public Health Policy, told Express: "The evidence regarding the impact of second-hand smoke in outdoor spaces is inconclusive. The smoke drift is unpleasant and the smell is the main factor but there is not a significant risk to health. We have put restrictions on smoking in motor vehicles because smoke poisons children's developing respiratory systems the most in tight confined spaces.

"While it is important to extend restrictions in order to raise a smoke free generation and to give them the best possible start in life, we must get the balance right. When talking about smoking it is important to consider the evidence of how many children are being exposed to it. If we were to restrict smoking in playgrounds it would be on a voluntary basis like it has been the case in other countries and it wouldn't be regulated. The hope in this is that by preventing children from seeing people smoking it would stop normalising the behaviour."

Pictured: There is little evidence to show that second-hand smoke harms children in outdoor spaces.

The States might however consider making the playgrounds smoke free on a voluntary basis. This means people would be encouraged not to smoke in those areas, but that it wouldn't be regulated. The main drive behind such a scheme is to combat the 'rolemodel effect.' The Smokefree consultation stated that evidence shows that children that have seen role models, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and others, smoke are more likely to take up smoking when they are older. Ireland and Wales have already made all children's playgrounds smoke free in a bid to discourage children from taking up the habit.

But for some parents on the island, this is not enough. Magda Bla has a 17-month old son with whom she recently visited a town park and a play area. She was shocked to see a young mother smoke while she was pushing her child on the swing. She told Express: "I don't understand why it's perfectly normal to smoke in the children's play areas when there is plenty other places to smoke. I just don't agree that smoking in a designated children's play area is ok! I smoked for 15 years but I have never smoked while driving or around children or even whilst walking on the street. Having a mum smoke while she is pushing her child on the swing next to mine, with the smoke blowing in both our faces, was not alright. A bit of self consciousness and respect would be just amazing from the society. I find it interesting that smoking in front of children does not harm them!"

Pictured: Parents are calling for smoking to be banned around playgrounds.

Other parents commented saying that the smoke wasn't the only issue as ash blows everywhere, and cigarette butts litter the area. One mother called smoking in play areas a disgrace saying that it should be made illegal. Most parents seem unconvinced that second-hand smoke wouldn't harm their children in an open space.

Chrissi Quinlan, a mother of two, aged 11 months and two and a half years, thinks that smoking shouldn't be allowed in public, let alone around children. She believes that there should be selected places where people can go to to smoke freely but where non-smokers would only enter knowing they are go into a smoking place. She explained: "Walking down the street it is not my choice to breathe second hand smoke. It is not my choice to have my children face the risk of being in contact with second-hand smoke, I don't want that for them. It is absolutely irresponsible for adults to be smoking with their children and other children around." 

Mrs Quinlan also thinks it is a shame to have people smoke in playgrounds as it turns a healthy activity into something unhealthy. She said: "You are taking your children out so they can breathe some fresh air and be active and they end up being poisoned by selfish, small-minded people who smoke around them. It is absolutely disgusting."