OLDHAM'S Liberal Democrat Leader is urging the council to make play areas in the borough smoke free.

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has written to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jean Stretton, after it was proposed that Parliament Square in the town centre be made smoke-free.

“Smoking is a public health emergency; it is a contributory factor in many of the deaths that occur in our Borough from cancer, heart disease and strokes, and it causes chronic ill-health amongst many of our residents,” said Councillor Sykes.

“We should do all that we can to reduce tobacco consumption, and above all to reduce the exposure of non-smokers, especially children, to tobacco smoke.”

In his letter to the Council Leader, Councillor Sykes cites voluntary bans introduced in Basingstoke and Deane and in Norwich to prevent smoking in children’s play areas.

“Although such "bans" are voluntary, they are intended to provide a further "nudge" in behaviour to encourage smokers to refrain from smoking in areas where children may breathe their secondary smoke,” added Councillor Sykes.

“These bans had strong support from the public in consultations, and they have been successful in affecting behaviour change.

“I therefore believe that they should be introduced in our play areas here and I have asked the Leader to consider consulting on and piloting several such schemes."