No Butts – DCC Playgrounds to Become Smoke Free

Dunedin, 21 November 2012 - Early next month, the Dunedin City Council will begin the process of making Dunedin playgrounds smoke free.

Starting in December, A3-sized smoke free signs will be installed in about 20 of the city’s larger metropolitan playgrounds, such as Marlow Park, and recently upgraded playgrounds in other parts of the city. Smallers sign, have been provided free from the Health Promotion Agency, will be used at small neighbourhood playgrounds.

Smoke free Otago (including Cancer Society, Otago Polytechnic and Southern DHB) have long been advocating for smoke free playgrounds as research shows designating areas smoke free normalises the message and does reduce initiation to smoking.

The DCC has contributed $5,000.00 towards this project, the Cancer Society $2,500 and the Southern DHB $2,500. The Otago Polytechnic’s Newsplash communication design studio created the design and manufactured the signage.

Three design options were presented to the community for feedback, as well as to the Early Childhood Liaison Group and the Well Child Group, with more than 300 responses received.

Health Promotion Manager for the Otago and Southland Division of the Cancer Society Penelope Scott says “The Government has a goal of being a smoke free nation by 2025. This means that less than 5% of the population will smoke and future generations will have tobacco free lives.

“To achieve this we need to double the number of quitters, halve the number taking up smoking and protect our children from exposure to smoking and the promotion of tobacco.

“Children are influenced by what they see adults doing and this highlights the importance of our community providing children with smoke free spaces wherever they are spending their time. Smoke free playgrounds are an important part of this and this is a commitment from our local council to the wellbeing of our children, families and whānau that the community can be proud of.”

Mayor Dave Cull will unveil the new signage at St Clair playground at 10am on Friday 14 December.

ENDS

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