Playing fields set to become fully smoke-free by 2014

The proposal is aimed at addressing children’s “vulnerability to poor air quality” as one of 200 wide-ranging proposals to address Malta’s various environmental challenges.

Introducing smoking bans in children’s playgrounds, sports facilities and mass leisure events is also proposed in Malta’s National Cancer Plan, launched last February.

At present the Presidents’ Kitchen Garden at San Anton Palace, which hosts playing facilities for children as well as a café and animal pens for ponies, ostriches and emu, is Malta’s only smoke-free recreational park. 

Malta was one of the first European states to introduce a smoking ban in indoor public spaces in 2004. 10 years later, Malta could be one of the first European states to follow New York’s example by clamping on smoking outdoors.

Although most of the evidence on the risks of passive smoking relates to indoor exposure, “there is emerging evidence on how smoking affects air quality in outdoor locations such as open cafes and playgrounds”, Health Promotion Director Charmaine Gauci told MaltaToday.

She refers to a recent study, which measured cigarette smoke levels in a variety of outdoor locations.

The study has shown that a person sitting near a smoker in an outdoor area could be exposed to levels of cigarette smoke similar to the exposure of someone sitting in an indoor place where smoking is allowed.

“Therefore, the second-hand smoke in outdoor areas where people gather, including open areas can present a real health risks to all,” Gauci said.

According to Gauci, exposure within the different environment settings remains the same but the impact on children “who are still in their developmental stages” could be greater.

But the health authorities were short on details when asked what measures are being taken to move towards banning smoking in places frequented by children, like playing fields.

“There are various measures that are currently being considered but these will only be made public after consultation with interested parties and stakeholders,” Gauci said.

The issue of banning smoking in playing fields was  raised by Labour MP Leo Brincat in May 2010 during parliament’s question time, when he asked Health Minister Joe Cassar whether the government intends to issue new regulations which would ban smoking from playing fields.

At the time, the minister replied that the government was not yet considering this option but that it was taking note of Brincat’s suggestion.

In 2010, Children’s Commissioner Helen D’Amato told MaltaToday that children had a right to a recreational space free from any form of health and safety risk posed by smoking, as well as from “actions which can have a negative influence on attitudes and values of children.”

Most smoking bans in Europe have so far been restricted to indoor public spaces or a few open air spaces, such as train stations.

But in January 2011 Spain outlawed smoking near hospitals and playgrounds. In May 2011, New York introduced a more drastic outdoor smoking ban, which covers public golf courses and sports grounds as well as plazas like Herald Square. Smoking is allowed on pavements outside parks, and car parks in public parks.