Elliot Walsh and Nathan Geszczak of Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg with Cllr Michael Dollard at the launch of the ‘Not Around Us’ initiative in Mullingar last Wednesday.

New anti-smoking initiative by Westmeath County Council

Published:

Westmeath County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Dollard marked National No Smoking Day on Wednesday last by launching a 'Not Around Us' initiative, aimed at normalising smoking and vaping-free spaces around the country.

The initiative is based on the belief that it should be normal for places in Ireland to be free from tobacco and vaping.

‘Not Around Us’ is supported by Westmeath County Council, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Healthy Ireland, and a range of other stakeholders and agencies including Westmeath Sports Partnership, Youth Work Ireland Midlands, the HSE and Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg.

"This campaign isn’t about telling people what to do with their own lives," Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg representative Elliott Walsh added. "It’s about making sure that those choices don’t affect the rest of us – especially in places meant for young people to thrive."

'Not Around Us' signage is available free of charge to interested nonprofit organisations, schools and early years services. Interested groups can contact healthycommunities@westmeathcoco.ie

Published: