Young people from the Kilkenny Comhairle na nÓg addressed a meeting of Kilkenny County Council on the 18th May to highlight the health impacts of smoking and vaping on young people and to advocate for more smoke and vape-free public spaces across Kilkenny.
Over the past 18 months, Comhairle na nÓg groups in Carlow and Kilkenny have been working together on the Healthy Ireland-supported “Not Around Us” campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting smoke and vape-free spaces for children and young people.
During the presentation, members of Kilkenny Comhairle na nÓg called on Kilkenny County Council to expand the rollout of “Not Around Us” signage to parks and playgrounds throughout the county.
Speaking at the meeting, Katie Byrne, representing Kilkenny Comhairle na nÓg, outlined the campaign’s key message: “The Not Around Us campaign is a direct request from young people to encourage people to consider their smoking and vaping behaviours in outdoor spaces used by children and young people. It is about ensuring that children and young people can enjoy smoke and vape-free environments. The goal of the campaign is to help de-normalise these habits around our youth.”
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh, welcomed and supported the proposal to extend the campaign to parks and playgrounds across Kilkenny and said: “It is important that we have open and honest conversations about smoking and vaping, understand the health risks involved, and most importantly, listen to the voices of young people. This campaign is about respecting what young people are asking for, to protect the spaces where they gather, exercise and play.”
Cllr. Pat Dunphy also voiced his support for the initiative, stating: “It is important that we listen to the voices of our youth council and protect the environments in which our young people are growing up.”
The “Not Around Us” campaign is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Carlow County Council, Local Community Development Committees, Healthy Ireland, Children and Young People’s Services Committees, and Health Promotion HSE in Carlow and Kilkenny.
