Members of Caerphilly Youth Forum have backed a ban on smoking in playgrounds across Caerphilly County Borough.
Earlier this year, Caerphilly County Borough Council banned smoking in almost 100 play areas after a campaign by Caerphilly Youth Forum.
As part of their campaign they held a borough-wide competition for young people and children to design signs informing the public about the ban.
Schools, Youth Clubs and Youth Projects were all invited to enter with over 100 entries received.
The winning design chosen by a panel of judges was created by Jasmine Amey Lewis, aged ten, from Libanus Primary School.
Cllr Mike Prew, the council’s youth champion, said: “Jasmine’s slogan summed up exactly why the Youth Forum had chosen to tackle the issue of protecting children’s play areas. Play areas are there for all young residents to enjoy and it is important to protect them whilst they play.”
Youth Forum member Joel Price, 15, said: “The Youth Forum told the council it was a real issue that people were smoking in parks and it was spoiling things for the young people in the borough.
“They wanted the council to ban smoking in all parks and children’s play areas. The fact that the ban has been agreed is an amazing success for the Youth Forum and a huge success for Caerphilly. The amazement I’m feeling is beyond excitement. Let’s hope the rest of Caerphilly respect this and take on board that it will be better for everyone.”