OKEHAMPTON Children's Centre is one of seven pilot sites for a project that protects children from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Devon County Council has installed specially designed signage at the centre to advise people not to smoke on site, and has provided training for staff to raise the issue with parents and offer support to those who want to quit.

Okehampton Children's Centre is the first to promote its smoke-free site policy by installing its signage, and training staff to using a DVD filmed in Devon. After evaluation, the programme will be rolled out across the county.

Run by the Smokefree Devon Alliance and Smokefree South West, the pilot will enable children's centre staff to engage with parents to share the message that a smoke-free lifestyle is beneficial for them and their children. Other pilots are being run in Exeter, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Torrington.

Helping to unveil the new signage at the children's centre were Devon County Cllr Kevin Ball, Devon's director of public heath Dr Virginia Pearson, and members of the public health team.

Dr Pearson said: 'Second-hand smoke is a particular hazard for children, as they absorb proportionately more toxins than adults. Children's exposure to cigarette smoke is influenced by whether their parents smoke and their attitudes to smoking at home. 

Devon's Children's Centres are helping to reduce the harm done by cigarette smoke to children, so that families keep their homes smoke-free.'

Regular activities at the centre include parenting programmes, breastfeeding peer support and stay-and-play sessions. For further information, call the children's centre on 01837 658621.

Devon's pioneering work with children's centres has received an award from the CLeaR Partnership, which works with local authorities across England to assess progress in reducing smoking.

Devon County Council leader Cllr John Hart said: 'It's a real honour to receive this award for our work in reducing the harm tobacco causes families and communities. Children's centres play an important role in signposting families and their local community to a range of services and support. 

'This pilot gives them additional training and resources to be able to offer advice and guidance for families who are thinking about quitting smoking, or who want to make sure their children are protected from second-hand smoke.'