Smoke-free outdoors areas will continue to be rolled out across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region this year with all children’s playgrounds, sporting fields and alfresco dining areas on the top of the list.
Last April, Council determined that a Smoke Free Outdoor Policy be developed and progressively introduced across the region commencing with playgrounds. The Cancer Council of NSW provided $4950.00 in funding to commence this program which has allowed Council to implement the policy at all 50 playgrounds across the LGA.
This aligned with a survey by the Heart Foundation of 152 NSW councils in relation to smoke-free policies. As of June 2011, 59% of all NSW councils had adopted some form of smoke-free outdoor area policy with 99% of those primarily focussing on children’s playground areas.
Director of Community and Cultural Development Lesley Atkinson said experiences of other councils suggest that the most successful implementation of a Smoke Free Outdoors Areas policy is to implement it gradually and combining it with educative and supportive community engagement processes.
Council will adopt the Smoke Free Outdoor policy progressively as funding becomes available with target areas including playgrounds, Council car parks, beaches, alfresco dining areas, playing fields and sports facilities, at outdoor events, bushland reserves, bus stops and taxi ranks.
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