Two more play areas in Teignbridge have become the latest ‘smoke-free’ zones in a bid to encourage residents and visitors to stub out smoking where children play.

Play areas in Hennock and Little Week Close, Dawlish, join existing ones at The Den, Teignmouth, Courtenay Park and Decoy Country Park, both in Newton Abbot, in trialling a smoke-free code which asks that children be allowed to play in a smoke-free environment.

Developed by Smokefree South West in partnership with Teignbridge Council, the code includes eye-catching signs that were designed by children and will be put up at each play area to raise awareness of the issue. The signs are also a timely reminder as the annual Stoptober campaign – a 28-day national stop smoking challenge – runs throughout October.

The aim of the no-smoking play zones is to help ‘de-normalise’ smoking as numerous studies show that children whose parents or siblings smoke are three times more likely to take up the habit.

The Royal College of Physicians estimates that 23,000 young people in England and Wales start smoking by the age of 15 as a result of exposure to smoking in the home.

Teignbridge Council places health at the heart of its new 10 year strategy, with a commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of communities achieved through partnerships such as this.

Cllr George Gribble, the district’s executive for recreation and leisure, said: ‘We are proud to be taking a positive approach in discouraging smoking around children in our play areas.

‘This not only contributes towards reducing the number of young people from Teignbridge who smoke but also helps reduce litter in our parks.

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge Council’s executive for health and wellbeing, added: ‘It is encouraging to see more towns and parishes supporting smoke-free play parks.

‘The successful play park in Teignmouth has been smoke-free for over two years now thanks to the respect shown by parents who are sending out a strong message by supporting this scheme.’