Purpose

This report seeks approval to introduce a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for smoking and vaping in designated areas across Knowsley for a three-year period.

Decision

The Head of Community Safety in consultation with the Cabinet Member Communities and Neighbourhoods, considering the statutory consultation exercise is recommended to:

       i.         Approve a three-year borough wide Public Space Protection Order (Smoking and Vaping) in designated smoke and vape free zones where children, young people and non-smokers are present or are reasonably expected to be present to include:

a)    A person must not smoke or vape within any designated smoke and vape free zone or within 2 meters of any entrance, exit, or access point to an enclosed public space or workplace including: 

·     Playgrounds and Environmental Centres in parks (including entrances, play equipment areas and associated seating)

·     School grounds including the immediate vicinity of school gates and entrances; 

·     Youth Centres

·     Leisure Centres (including main entrances and forecourts);

·     Children’s Centres and family hubs; 

·     Libraries (external entrances and forecourts open to the public). This does not include Halewood and Prescot Libraries;

·     Shakespeare North Playhouse (external areas under Council management open to the public).

b)    A person must, when requested by an Authorised Officer, extinguish any lit smoking material and/or cease vaping and comply with any reasonable instruction given.

Alternative options considered

Not implementing a borough-wide PSPO. After under-taking evidence review and statutory consultation process to was deemed that both support and need were high to implement a PSPO for smoking and vaping in designated areas across Knowsley for a three-year period.