Children across East Dunbartonshire are breathing easier, thanks to a five year project by the Tobacco Alliance* that has seen all 70 playparks in the area become smokefree.
Since 2016, pupils in East Dunbartonshire's towns and villages have taken part in class tasks to design signs for their local playparks urging grown-ups not to smoke around them and reminding them of the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke.
The competition was part of a wider lesson plan where children were encouraged away from smoking and towards a healthier lifestyle as part of the Tobacco Alliance's vision of a tobacco-free generation by 2034.
This short video celebrates the efforts of everyone involved
The culmination of the project - involving nine public sector partners, 13 local schools and almost 600 pupils - came when the final signs were put up at parks in Kirkintilloch, Lenzie and Twechar this week.
The eye-catching artwork - designed by former pupils from Harestanes Primary in Kirkintilloch - shows a colourful scene of a busy, fun-filled play park where children ask 'Please keep our playpark smoke-free'.
Caroline Sinclair, Interim Chief Officer and Chief Social Work Officer for East Dunbartonshire HSCP said, "This has been a hugely successful initiative which has brought a serious message into classrooms across East Dunbartonshire to teach children, at that crucial stage just before secondary school, about the risks of smoking to them and those around them. We are delighted to have been a part of it and to see that all playparks are now branded and that so many young people are ambassadors for the healthy lifestyle message that we are promoting."
Joint Council Leader, Andrew Polson added, “I have watched this initiative build up over the years and have been delighted to meet children along the way who feel very strongly that their playparks should be safe from the harms of tobacco. They know the damage that smoking can do and I hope they take that message into their adult lives. I also hope that grown-ups take heed of the plea from our young people to help them enjoy playing in the fresh air, with cigarettes staying out of the picture."
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody said, "It is important that smoking is not normalised but that we challenge it and educate young people of the dangers so they can make informed choices and take those messages home. This initiative has been possible because of partnership working across the public sector and I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved. Special thanks to the pupils and staff of participating schools too. We will build on this achievement and continue to promote healthy lifestyles to families across East Dunbartonshire."
* The East Dunbartonshire Tobacco Alliance is a coalition of the following nine partners: East Dunbartonshire HSCP, East Dunbartonshire Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Quit Your Way, Ash Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action.