No butts as smoke free playground launched

FINGAL County Council is proposing to make all of its public playgrounds smoke free.

That was the clear message from the local authority after it opened its second smoke free public playground in Rivermeade near Swords.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Gerry McGuire, local schoolchildren, the HSE, Tobacco Free Research Institute, young players from Rivermeade FC and national football stars from League of Ireland club Shelbourne FC, attended the launch.

The smoke free playground initiative was first piloted in Fingal in early 2010 at Millennium Playground, Blanchardstown.

This was through a partnership between Fingal County Council, the HSE Dublin North East, Connolly Hospital and the Tobacco Free Research Institute, recognising the well-documented dangers of passive smoke.

The primary aim of the initiative was to discourage people from smoking in a children’s environment, to denormalise tobacco use and reduce cigarette litter.

The smoke free playground at Millennium Park has proven to be highly successful and well supported by the families using it.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Gerry McGuire said he couldn’t let the day pass without mentioning all those who have worked hard to bring the smoke free playground to Rivermeade.

“In particular, I would like to thank the staff of the HSE who liaised with Mary Queen of Ireland National School and Rivermeade FC to extend the tobacco free designation to the their local playground and to their mini-pitch which was launched by Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni in 2011,

? the Mayor stated.

“I would especially like to thank Robert Burke of Rivermeade FC and Conan Byrne from Shelbourne FC for coming out to make the day special.

“I also must thank Alison Passamore and Gail Nagle and the children of Rivermeade National School for organising and designing the wonderful posters to promote this important initiative.

?

Mayor McGuire said Fingal County Council has provided many play and fitness facilities across the county.

“The introduction of the tobacco free playground represents our commitment to build on many health promotion initiatives and to target smoking specifically,

? he added.

Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion HSE Dublin North East, said:

“Smoking is extremely harmful to the health of those who smoke and also to those around them, causing a wide range of debilitating and fatal conditions.

“When children see adults smoking in a family friendly place it normalises smoking, making children more likely to try cigarettes.

“Parents and adults are the most important role models for children and supporting people not to smoke around children indoors and outdoors is one of the clearest messages we can give our children.

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Dr Eldin said smoking around children is something we should all avoid because what children see children do and no parent would ever want to see their child taking up a cigarette.

“I congratulate all those involved in this initiative making this community safer and healthier for all,

? he added.

Fingal County Council now proposes making all its public playgrounds smoke free and is undertaking public consultation at the moment to promote the idea and to gain public support before rolling it out across the county.

Anyone who wishes to make a submission on the countywide smoke free playground initiative can do so by writing to: Ciara Monahan, Parks Division, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Swords, County Dublin or by email to ciara.monahan@fingalcoco.ie on or before 4pm on Friday, June 22.