The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A move to encourage no smoking at public play areas and on frontages of schools and nurseries in South Holland is being introduced.
It comes following our coverage of Holbeach community nurse Mark Le Sage’s call for action. He was disgusted that his two-year-old daughter Ella was enveloped in a plume of cigarette smoke while in the play area at Ayscoughfee Gardens in Spalding.
The district council discussed the issue, consulted with the public through The Voice and is now set to implement a voluntary code early next year.
Signs will be put up in outside areas which the local authority wants to see remain smokefree.
Coun Malcolm Chandler, portfolio holder for environmental health, said: “This is not about preventing people from smoking, but asking them to smoke more responsibly away from where children may be affected and exposed to harmful tobacco smoke.”
A match-funded budget of £15,500 has been approved.
Councillors Angela Newton, Jack McLean and Gary Taylor have supported Mr Le Sage’s call for action.
Coun Newton told last week’s full district council meeting: “Although it’s voluntary at the start, hopefully by word of mouth and people pointing out the signs, we will encourage people not to smoke in play areas.”
The Voice understands that current legislation does not allow the code to be mandatory.
Mr Le Sage is delighted that the council has moved quickly on the issue.
He said: “This is really good news.
“As a nurse, I have seen first-hand the effects on people of passive smoking.
“Our play areas are places where our children should be able to enjoy themselves without any harm to their health in this way.
“I want to thank councillors Newton, McLean and Taylor for their support and the council for introducing this code. I hope it has a positive effect throughout the district.”
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust chief executive Andrew Morgan said: “It’s always fantastic to hear of members of staff taking an interest in the health of their local community outside of work and encouraging the public to help us to help you by limiting exposure to secondhand smoke.”
