Closed petition Ban smoking in all public places used by children

Closed on 26 January 2022

Five English councils have banned smoking in outdoor eating areas but this postcode lottery should be removed by banning smoking in all outdoor public areas used by children, including eating areas, parks and playgrounds.

We need safe areas to reduce the harm to children and discourage normalisation of smoking for future generations. Smoking is a public health issue. It causes cancer and can increase the risk of developing lung disease, heart disease, strokes, infertility, sudden infant death and more. It can worsen or prolong asthma symptoms. It is harmful first, second, third hand or passively. There is research that suggests that it lingers on surfaces sometimes for months releasing carcinogens and toxins. Whatever the type it is harmful to those around us. Children's smaller developing lungs are at extra risk of damage and as they breath faster they inhale more highly concentrated toxins.