Mum in UK Launches Petition To Ban Smoking Near Playgrounds

A mum in the UK has launched a petition asking the government to ban smoking near children’s playgrounds. According to The Huffington Post, Annie Dressner from Cambridge started her campaign after an incident with a smoker at her local park. She told Cambridge News:

“I must have noticed they had a cigarette and so she said 'Would you mind if I smoke?' “I said 'I'm asthmatic, have a young child and would rather he wasn't around your smoke'. “She said 'your child is going to turn out to be arrogant', and after a bit we left because I felt a bit uncomfortable.”

Dressner’s main reason for the petition is the risk of second-hand smoke to children and pregnant women. She added:

“It’s not that I feel no-one should smoke in public but it (a play area) is a different type of area that’s for children. “I just feel the majority of people with children, even those who smoke, wouldn’t want it in a playground.”

Last month research by the Institute of Public Health found that 26 of the 31 city and county councils in Ireland have implemented or agreed to implement smoke-free playground policies.