Agenda item - The Public Consultation on Extending Smoke free Spaces

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached).

44.1         The Environmental Health Manager introduced the report which presented the results of the recent public consultation on extending smoke free spaces, to include outdoor areas such as the parks and beaches.  He stated that it had been a very successful consultation process and whilst overall there had been little support to extend to parks and beaches, there had been support for areas where children tended to be, i.e. children’s centres, outside of schools, play parks and outside seating areas at restaurants.

44.2         Councillor Mac Cafferty noted the report and queried why there was no reference to smoke-free zones and whether they had led to a reduction in smoking and whether there was any impact from second-hand smoke.

44.3         The Environmental Health Manager stated that there was evidence to show that second-hand smoke did exist in out-door open spaces although its impact could not be confirmed.

44.4         The Director of Public Health noted that where notices had been used in countries to encourage smoke-free spaces they had had an impact and set a tone, which was something that was worth considering.

44.5         Councillor K. Norman agreed with the view but noted that it would be very difficult to enforce in an open space; and whilst notices could be used he was not sure that they would have an impact.

44.6         The Chair agreed that voluntary bans could not be enforced but felt that having notices in areas such as outside school entrances may result in a smoke-free area being established.  It would be helpful to highlight the outcomes of the consultation in conjunction with the placement of notices and he believed it had raised awareness levels.

44.7         RESOLVED:

(1)       That the Board agrees that the Council, through the Public Health Schools programme should encourage smoke free school gates to all primary schools on a voluntary basis;

(2)       That the Board agrees that the Council  continue to promote smoke free spaces in children’s play parks and the Council through the Public Directorate works with children’s centres to encourage smoke free entrances on a voluntary basis;

(3)       That the board agrees that the Council’s Public Health Directorate works with restaurants and pubs to encourage smoke-free outdoor areas on a voluntary basis; and

(4)       That the board agrees that the council does not extend smoke free places to all parks and beaches.