Smoke-free zone extended to protect children in Clissold Park
A Hackney park is one of the first green spaces in the country to introduce smoke-free zones in all areas used extensively by children.
New signs now ask residents to abstain from smoking in the pleasure gardens, outdoor classroom, paddling pool, animal enclosures and dog-free space of Clissold Park, Stoke Newington.
Clissold Park User Group has supported the move which aims to help protect youngsters from the dangers of smoking.
The pioneering initiative builds on the smoke ban which has been operating successfully in all children’s play areas in Hackney's Green Flag parks.
Hackney Council now wants to work with other user groups in the borough to identify smoke-free areas in its major parks.
People will still be able to smoke in the park but the majority of residents can enjoy a day out without having their children subjected to second-hand smoke or being influenced by seeing others do it. The smoking ban is voluntary, just like in children's play areas where it has enjoyed great success, and we know we can rely on the goodwill of our park users to respect it. Smoking-related illnesses remain some of the biggest killers in Hackney but it’s never too late for smokers to give up. Help and advice is available at drop-in services across the borough. Hackney’s Health and Wellbeing Board has made smoking one of its top priorities and we want to make it easier to quit as well making it less likely that young people will start smoking in the first place.
Smoking doubles both the risk of having a heart attack and the risk of having a stroke.
The Council’s latest statistics show a quarter of over-18s in Hackney smoke. Smoking is also prevalent in young people, with 18 per cent of 16 to 17 year olds and 28 per cent of 18 to 19 year olds in Hackney lighting up.
Each year in Hackney, an estimated 200 people die prematurely from a smoking-related disease, and around 1,500 are admitted to hospital due to smoking-associated health problems.
For information and support to stop smoking, drop into your local pharmacy or visit: www.smokefreecityandhackney.nhs.uk
You’re up to four times more likely to stop with support than to go it alone.