Clare County Council Expands ‘Not Around Us’ Smoke-Free Playgrounds Initiative for World No Tobacco Day 2025
Clare County Council is reinforcing its commitment to protecting children's health by expanding the ‘Not Around Us’ campaign across all council-owned playgrounds. Originally launched on World No Smoking Day in 2021, this initiative continues to promote smoke-free zones, ensuring cleaner, safer spaces for children to play and thrive.
Cllr Alan O'Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign’s growth, “I am delighted to see this initiative broaden its reach. As we approach World No Tobacco Day 2025, we are sending a clear message, our children deserve smoke-free environments where they can play openly, safeguarding their health for the future.”
The Not Around Us campaign will become a visible reminder across Clare’s playgrounds in the coming weeks. Clare County Council is also delighted to see the campaign continue to be an important part of sports organisations. It has been two years since Éire Óg GAA introduced the "Not Around Us" initiative as part of the GAA's Healthy Clubs programme, in partnership with the HSE Quit programme and Clare County Council.
Reflecting upon the past two years, Éire Óg GAA Wellbeing Officer, Noreen Vaughan said, “This initiative continues to promote a cleaner, healthier environment for all members, especially young people, by reducing exposure to harmful tobacco and vape products. It reinforces the club’s commitment to wellbeing, setting a positive example for the community.”
The Banner GAA club and Clooney Quin GAA have recently come together with Healthy Clare to bring the campaign to their playing spaces. Darina Greene, Banner GAA Wellbeing Officer, said, “We are delighted to display our ‘Not Around Us’ signage courtesy of Healthy Clare and in conjunction with the GAA Healthy Clubs initiative. We are fully committed to the health and wellbeing of our club members and patrons and we are on a journey to make our grounds as vibrant and conducive to sport and physical fitness as possible and this includes creating a smoke and vape free environment for all. Nothing but fresh air.”
Samantha McCarthy, Healthy Clare Coordinator, reminds readers that the aim of the NAU Campaign is to:
- Help protect children and young people from second-hand smoke exposure.
- Contribute to the denormalisation of smoking for children and young people.
- Reduce environmental nuisance, cost of cleaning and damage that discarded tobacco products create.
- Signpost the HSE Quit services.
Organisations interested in displaying signage should go to the Healthy Clare webpage https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/healthy-clare/ ‘Together, we’re creating a safer, smoke-free spaces in sport, in plan, in any place where children gather.’
Page last reviewed: 27/05/25
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