MOST LOCAL AUTHORITIES in the country are moving towards implementing smoking bans in playgrounds, according to a new report.
The research found that 82% of local authorities, across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, have either already implemented a smoke-free policy or have agreed to. Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH), which compiled the report, said it shows “considerable progress” is being made in developing smoke-free spaces.
“This helps to reduce exposure to second hand smoke and to denormalise tobacco use for future generations.”
McAvoy referenced the ban on smoking in cars with children, which came into effect in January, noting that almost one in five children in the Republic before that were exposed to second-hand smoke in cars.
16% of children reported that adults were allowed to smoke in the family car as long as the window was down, with a further 3% reporting no rules or restrictions on smoking in the family car.
“The new law prohibiting smoking in cars came into effect in January 2016 and we would expect that the new legislation will, over time, like the ban on smoking in the workplace support people to change their behaviour” Dr Helen McAvoy said.
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