PLANS are in the pipeline to introduce no-smoking zones around children’s play areas in Basingstoke and Deane.

The borough council’s community, environment and partnerships committee has discussed a proposal to implement a voluntary 10-metre no-smoking policy around all 180 play parks in the area.

The scheme has proved popular in Cheshire and Merseyside, and now the borough council is to launch a public consultation on the proposal, and will work with schoolchildren across the borough to design a sign which can be displayed in play areas.

The no-smoking zone plan was first raised by the borough’s Labour group after they were approached by a resident in Popley.

One option that was looked at by the committee was creating a bylaw as a legal enforcement tool to stop people smoking in and around play areas. However, councillors agreed that the process to create a bylaw would take too long.

As a result, after public consultation is undertaken, the council has indicated that it will be looking to introduce a voluntary code of practice around the borough and will work on proposals to include recreational areas such as Down Grange in the scheme.

Father-of-two Professor Eric Anderson, who teaches at The University of Winchester, spoke in favour of the move at the meeting.

He said: “Asking someone to put a cigarette out in Basingstoke is a daily occurrence. What I am asking for is to see if you can legally find a way to pass a law that covers within 10 metres of children’s playing parks. I urge you to consider a legal ban against smoking around children’s play parks for health and safety reasons.”

Cllr David Potter, Labour member for the Popley East ward, said there are a number of schools in Popley which would take part in the scheme. He added: “I have never quite understood why adults force children to suffer passive smoking, particularly in the areas we are talking about, in play areas.”

Cllr Jack Cousens, committee member and Labour councillor for Brookvale and Kings Furlong, backed consulting local people despite a call from Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Bound not to carry out a public consultation.

Cllr Cousens told the meeting: “We want it to be seen as a message from them (children). I understand the feeling that we could go straight out and do it, but the fact we want a voluntary code entails that we want community engagement to force that. We are all in agreement that smoking near a children’s play area is a complete no go.”