Calls for smoking ban in town centres and parks

Health experts have drafted a letter calling on the government to consider banning smoking in town centres and parks in a bid to get people to ditch the habit.

It follows the report in the Kentish Express last week, where members of the Ashford Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the option of creating smoke-free zones in Ashford to “de-normalise” the practice.

According to the board members, the number of those sparking up in the borough is above the national average, costing the community millions in healthcare and absence.

As a result, the board has drafted a letter to Ashford MP Damian Green in the hope of lobbying the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt for a change in the law.

Mr Green said he had not yet received a letter, but was aware the issue was being discussed by the board.

He said: “I was all in favour of litter wardens to stop people Damian Green MP said he would look very carefully at the practicalities of a ban dropping litter and cigarette ends as this can easily be stopped.

“But with a smoking ban I would look very carefully at the practicalities and the effect it might have on the night-time economy.”

The reaction to our report last week has been mixed, and this week we have received plenty of letters and comments online with people expressing their views.

Ron Waple wrote: “I would support a smoking ban in Ashford town, and would hope it would be more successful than the smoking ban at the William Harvey Hospital.

“I worked there between June 2001 and January 2007. Smoking was banned throughout the site but smoking can be witnessed. You see staff, visitors and patients around the main entrance and other locations smoking, ignoring all the signs stating it is a NO SMOKING site.”

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk