Smoking is to be stubbed out in playgrounds as part of a tough crackdown.

Colchester Council has agreed a new no-smoking policy across the borough, removing the habit from its buildings.

The new rules ban employees and councillors from smoking on council property at any time, as well as for visitors. The policy also covers children's playgrounds.

However, the council's cabinet accepted it did not have the legislative powers to ban smoking. Instead, advisory notices will be put up encouraging people not to smoke in the vicinity.

Tim Young (Lab, St Andrew's) welcomed the policy. He also criticised the Labour Government for not going far enough in its plans for restricting smoking in public places.

The council's cabinet agreed to the new policy on smoking for all council buildings.

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Published Thursday, December 8, 2005

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