New smoke-free spaces to protect children

New spaces to protect children from second-hand smoke are to be introduced in a Kent district.

Thanet District Council (TDC) and Kent County Council (KCC) have teamed up as part of the "Smokefree Spaces" campaign, which aims to deter people from smoking in public places and from vaping around children and young people.

The smoke-free areas will be located in public parks and play areas, high streets and outside schools.

The first smoke-free areas will be introduced in Boundary Park in Ramsgate, and in a section of Ramsgate High Street, between Harbour Street and Meeting Street.

TDC said they are free to design their own signs as part of the campaign and free workshops for schools and local people to help design the signs for Ramsgate High Street have been organised.

It added that advice on stopping smoking or vaping will be available from professional partners at the workshops.

Heather Keen, cabinet member for community, said: "We know now that exposure to second-hand smoke can cause quite a range of health issues.

"The project will help to reduce the amount of second-hand smoke that children are exposed to, and we hope will discourage young people from taking up smoking or vaping in the first place."

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