The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to extend proposed outdoor smoking and vaping bans to cover all children’s playgrounds, warning that current plans leave dangerous loopholes. This push aims to protect children from second-hand exposure in privately managed spaces not controlled by local authorities.
While the LGA strongly supports expanding smoke-free and vape-free zones across education, health, and social care settings in England, they warn that current proposals exclude publicly accessible playgrounds that fall outside council management.
This oversight creates significant gaps in protection. Unregulated areas currently include play spaces built within new housing developments, national parks, amusement parks, and privately owned leisure facilities.
To ensure national consistency and reduce the visibility of smoking and vaping, the LGA outlined several key demands in its consultation response:
- Implementation of mandatory minimum standards for clear signage.
- Guidance on positioning designated smoking and vaping areas away from entrances to minimize concentrated exposure.
- Expanding vaping exemptions to include all commissioned smoking cessation services.
- Full “New Burdens Funding” to cover local authority enforcement, advisory work, and street cleaning costs.
Cllr Dr. Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, emphasized that reducing the visibility of these habits is crucial for prevention. “No child should be exposed to second-hand smoke or vapour clouds in public spaces designed for their health, education, and play,” she stated.
The LGA noted that many councils are already proactively introducing vape-free spaces at sports sidelines and school gates, but stressed that national consistency and adequate government funding are essential to make these measures workable.
