THE Victoria Park Experience is to be smoke free throughout the summer, to help promote healthy behaviour to children.
A survey of local people showed that 89% supported smokefree events for children and families, with only 1% opposed.
Samantha Skidmore, 39, from Lymm attended the VPX event with her two sons Ben, 6 and Ethan, 3.
Samantha said: “It’s great that it’s a smokefree event. I have seen people smoking at events and I don’t wish for children to see it as normal.
“I would like to see smokefree events at all children’s events.
“Brighton are trying to create smokefree spaces on the beach.
“I think that’s great and a positive move and all general public events, shopping centres and outside events would be a great idea to make smokefree.
“I think smokefree events will make a healthy start for our children not to see it as being normal to smoke as an adult.”
Smokefree Summer has been co-ordinated by local social enterprise Tobacco Free Futures which has worked together with local authorities and event organisers across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “We recognise that there is a high level of support and demand for more smokefree events and spaces in Warrington.
“We are committed to tackling the harms caused by tobacco in our communities, especially to children, and want to see more healthy, smokefree family-friendly events in our area.
“We have joined smokefree summer to help increase the number of family events we see promoting a smokefree policy and hope that more local organisers change their policies to protect children.”
The Victoria Park Experience is on every Tuesday in August.
