Local Government Denmark seeks extension on smoking ban as part of 500 million kroner health investment

Smoking anywhere near educational institutions could be a thing of the past if Local Government Denmark (LGD) has its way.

The umbrella organisation for local councils nationwide has developed a preventative proposal, based on National Board of Health recommendations, to improve policies on smoking, drinking and health.

The national smoking ban presently has exceptions that allow for smoking inside single-person offices, dedicated smoking rooms and bars smaller in size than 40sqm.

LGD wants to see the complete ban on smoking in public council buildings extended to include outdoor areas of schools, nurseries and other areas where employees work with children.

Morten Grønbæk, head of research with the National Institute for Public Health said further restrictions would help more smokers quit the habit.

'‘If people use half an hour to go outside to an area where they can smoke, many will stop. There are also lots of examples of young people learning to smoke at boarding schools where there are a lot of outside smoking areas,’ Grønbæk told Berlingske Tidende newspaper.

‘It has both a health policy aspect and it’s also a matter of you as a teacher being a role model for the students. It’s important that they don’t see the teachers smoking,’ said Stig Andersen, deputy chairman of the union.

If all of the proposals by LGD are enacted it will require an extra 500 million kroner annually, but LGD believes it’s a good investment on the back of the government’s recent national public health prevention plan.

‘The government and parliament must make up their minds if they really want Denmark to take the lead when it comes to prevention for its citizens,’ said Tove Larsen, head of the LGD health committee.