Arran schools set to be smoke-free zones
NORTH Ayrshire Council has underlined its commitment to the wellbeing and health of young people by adopting smoke-free zones at schools.
As well as the zones at the school grounds, including the front gates, all playparks will be a no-go area for smokers at Arran High School and the island’s seven primary schools.
The council’s proposals will start from the return of schools in the new year, with every school on board and supportive of the initiative.
One of the council’s key priorities is ‘helping all people stay safe, healthy and active’ and this latest pledge supports this.
And the North Ayrshire community planning partnership – of which the council is a key partner – recently signed up to the ASH Scotland ‘Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation’ as part of their social impact pledges. This charter has six key principles that focus on reducing the impact of smoking in children – with smoke-free grounds considered an absolute priority.
Signs will be erected across the parks and schools which will act as deterrents to people thinking about lighting up.
As well as the young people, the council also hopes to have smoke-free zones across their whole estate by March next year. The council is also working closely with the NHS Fresh Air-shire Smoking Cessation programme and will use this as an opportunity to offer support to staff who wish to quit smoking
Council leader Joe Cullinane said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have made this commitment and statement.
‘The health issues are well documented and a real problem here in North Ayrshire. There are other issues associated with poor health but smoking is right at the top of the list.
‘As well as creating a safe and secure environment for our young people, it is about sending out the right message to them.
‘We are trying to create a healthier North Ayrshire and the young people are absolute key to this. We’re delighted that our schools are right behind this and fully supportive of this initiative. We are also looking at our whole estate and hope we can finalise this shortly.’
These plans support the Scottish government’s aim of having a tobacco-free generation by 2034.