EXCLUSIVE: Fife Council considers smoking ban in Kingdom play areas

Fife Council could make a move to ban smokers from lighting up near all play parks in the Kingdom.

A spokesperson for the local authority said it is something that councillors would consider.

If it happens, there would likely be no smoking signs put up across play areas in the region, although it is unsure on how the council would actually enforce a ban.

Chief Executive of Ash Scotland, Shiela Duffy welcomed the news and thinks local authorities across the country should follow suit.

She said: "We know that it means that kids are less likely to take up smoking themselves when they grow up and I think that adults, whether smokers or non-smokers, have an ambition for the next generation to not get hooked on smoking.

"In outdoor smoke-free spaces, generally there is enough movement of air, there is enough space that the second hand smoke is not such an issue, but I think what it is about is recognising the rights of children's health and creating spaces where they play and gather- predominantly children's spaces.

"I would really like to see a debate within communities because there needs to be places for adult smokers to go, but there also needs to be recognition of a child’s right to health and to play and socialise in clearer spaces".

Fife Council is not the only local authority to take the issue seriously, as Edinburgh Council already operates a smoking ban in public play areas.

Dundee Council is also taking steps to introduce its own measures, and councillors will vote on whether to introduce a ban next week.