Following Rachael Hamilton MSP's motion at the scottish parliament calling on the parliament to ban smoking in play parks and other outdoor sports facilities. Bothwell Road Action Group have approached local councillors for the park calling on South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to created a code under which the public complies voluntarily with a smoking ban within the park.

​

​

Dear Councillor's

Bothwell Road Action Group are a local voluntary organisation that look to promote and enhance Bothwell Road park in Hamilton.

One of our main aims is providing opportunities for children and young people to enjoy the outdoors and green space that is around them in their community.

We noted with interest recently that Scottish Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton tabled a motion in the Scottish parliament calling on the parliament to ban smoking in play parks and other outdoor sports facilities.

the Welsh Government introduced the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which imposes a ban there on smoking in these types of places.

​

We believe that such a ban in Scotland would improve public health, especially in helping to alleviate the effects of passive smoking on children in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire and across the country.

there has already been positive action to stop smoking in play parks and in other outdoor areas in Scotland. The measures, which have been successful, are voluntary in nature. Many local authorities have embraced smoke-free play parks, albeit without there being enforcement powers in legislation.

​

Dundee City Council, for example, created a code under which the public complies voluntarily with a smoking ban, with a request not to smoke in particular areas. The code does not ban smoking outright, but it sets best practice. Children and young people have already engaged positively with the voluntary bans. Creating smoke-free zones would be a positive initial step.

Scottish Borders Council and MSP’s have work with councillors and local schools to create a competition to design signs that can be displayed in play parks to discourage people from smoking and to encourage them to adhere to a voluntary ban.

We ask if a Simmerer code can be introduced in South Lanarkshire with Bothwell Road park acting as a pilot area for the project working with local Schools to create a Smoke free Zone in the park.

​

we do not want to stigmatise smokers, nor do we want the deny people the right to smoke. To simply call it a ban would throw up negative connotations. It is about sending the right message—a positive message—to our children.

We look forward to your response

Bothwell Road Action Group (BRAG)

#nobutts