Smoke free zones
Published
Tuesday 22 April, 2025
Updated
Tuesday 22 April, 2025
Smoke free signs will be going up across the borough where local people don't want to breathe in second-hand smoke and vape fumes.
Swale Borough Council asked residents where smoke free signs should be installed, with the most popular options being primary school gates, children’s play areas, and outside healthcare facilities.
Twenty-five signs are now being installed near hospitals, like the Sheppey Community Hospital, within green spaces and play areas, like the Faversham Rec, and at the entrances to leisure centres, including Swallows Leisure Centre.
An additional 25 signs are ready to be put up where they are needed.
These signs are part of the council’s campaign, working with Kent County Council (KCC), to deliver a series of Smoke Free Public Spaces across the borough.
The initiative aims to reduce second-hand smoke exposure and to educate smokers about the harm caused to both them and those around them when they smoke.
In 2023 13.4% of people aged over 18 were current smokers in Swale which is higher than England’s average of 11.6%, with Swale also having a respiratory disease mortality rate higher than the national average.
The number of pregnant women who were smoking at the time of delivery is also higher than the national average at 9.1% compared to 7.4% for the whole of England.
The project will not only improve public health by supporting both smokers and non-smokers to live healthier lives, but also improve Swale’s air quality and, with less cigarette butts being discarded, reduce litter.
There is a launch event for the scheme on 30 April during the council’s One Swale Roadshow, an event where charities come together to offer support to Swale residents.
Kent County Council delivers a Stop Smoking Service, as part of its holistic healthy lifestyle service One You Kent (OYK), which will also be at the roadshow offering support to quit.
Swale Borough Council’s smoke free areas are promoting the service, which helps support around 3,000 people a year to quit smoking.
Get help quitting here: http://www.kent.gov.uk/smokefree
