Council may ban smoking in playgrounds across County Cork

A SMOKING ban may be introduced in all playgrounds in Co Cork in an effort to discourage children from taking up the habit in later life.

Cllr Deirdre Forde (FG) is to table a motion at a meeting in County Hall today to have the ban added to the draft bylaws which are currently being prepared by local authority officials.

The Fine Gael councillor said she had been contacted on the issue by the anti-smoking lobby Ash Ireland and was happy to move the motion on their behalf in an attempt to reduce cigarette addiction in future generations.

“The smoking ban has been widely successful in pubs and I think it is very appropriate to ban it in playgrounds as well. Children copy adult behaviour and, if they see adults smoking in a playground, they are likely to imitate them in later life.”

While stressing she had nothing against people who smoke, Ms Forde said adults had a responsibility not to smoke next to small children because of the health impacts.

It is quite likely she will receive widespread support from her 47 colleagues on the council for a smoking ban to be included in the new bylaws.

Officials have already compiled a number of proposals for the new bylaws, including one which will prevent paedophiles from taking pictures of children in playgrounds.

The draft document states “no person, unless they are a member of a family, shall operate, or use a camera, camera phone, video or any other media device in a playground without authorisation from the council”.

The local authority is also looking at the possibility of installing CCTV cameras in playgrounds to monitor anti-social behaviour.

The Garda will also be permitted to use recording devices if they so require.

Both council officials and the Garda will have the power immediately to remove anybody who infringes the bylaws from playgrounds.

A ban is also being proposed to prevent children over 12 years of age using play equipment designed for younger children.

Ball-playing, cycling and skateboarding in the playground will also be outlawed.

Council officials and the Garda will be able to issue fixed penalty fines of €75 for minor infringements of the bylaws, but more serious and persistent breaches could result in an appearance before a District Court where a fine of up to €1,904.60 could be imposed.