Smoking could be banned in Kent parks

Smoking could soon be banned from every public park and sports ground in Kent.

The Kent Alliance on Smoking and Health, is appealing to councils across the county to ban smoking in areas which are aimed at children and families.

If the ban were to come into effect, those caught smoking at Tonbridge Farm, Tonbridge Racecourse and Haysden Country Park could face on the spot fines and even court, for breaking the rules.

The proposed Kent Tobacco Control Strategy which aims to have a smoke free county by 2014, already has the backing of Kent County Council and is being 'carefully considered' by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

David Hughes, the Borough council chief executive, told the Kent and Sussex Courier: "We are very conscious of the need to protect people, especially children from the harmful effects of smoking.

"We will therefore give careful consideration to all elements of the recently produced report."

Whilst the prospect of the ban was welcomed by some residents, it angered other local people. Andy Young, who organises the annual Tonbridge Kite Festival on Frog Bridge sports ground, which is another public area that comes under the new proposal. He believes the rule will be unenforceable.

"If they bring in a smoking ban, who's going to enforce it? As organiser I'm not going to walk around telling people not to smoke. I don't think it will work," he said.

There are a number of methods that can be used by those in Kent that want to stop smoking. Hypnotherapy is one technique seen by many to be an effective nicotine beating tool.