PLAY areas and parks across Sedgemoor will now have signs designating the areas as smoke-free zones after the district council declared its commitment to protect residents from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Sedgemoor was one of the first district councils in the country to sign the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control to underline its determination to tackle harm from smoking.

As part of its commitment the council wants to make sure children do not have to witness and breathe in smoke when they enjoy playing in the fresh air in council-owned playgrounds. 

District council chairman Cllr Peter Downing said: “Smoking remains one of the major threats to health.

“It is important that children are protected from people smoking around them whilst they play.”