COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 17, 2016

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor V. Casserly

To call on the Chief Executive in support of Health and Wellbeing in our County apply a No Smoking Ban within 10 metres of our Playgrounds and Playspaces as illustrated in attachment as an innovative measure to improve these spaces in our Community.

REPORT:

Ireland’s public health policy objective in relation to tobacco control is to promote and subsequently move towards a tobacco free society.

Smoking in Ireland is banned fully in the general workplace, enclosed public places, restaurants, bars, education facilities, healthcare facilities and public transport. However, it is permitted in designated hotel rooms and there is no ban in residential care, prisons nor in outdoor areas.

Research collated by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and recently published shows that 26 of the 31 city and county councils have implemented or agreed to implement smoke - free playground policies, and many public places are being turned into smoke-free zones with smoking bans being extended to outdoor grounds and campuses.

A recommendation was made some time ago by this Council to implement a smoke-free playground policy  which was formally noted, and signage to this effect has been erected at our playgrounds to reflect this as part of the rules of use since 2006.

Although it is not an offence to smoke in parks and playgrounds, signs will be erected to discourage people from smoking within a 10 metre radius of these children's facilities. It is proposed to include the inclusion of 'smoke free playgrounds' into the review of the Parks By Laws.