Smoke-free Millennium Place plans given green light

Buy photos » Millennium Place will become a smoking-free zone for the Olympics.

PLANS for a smoke-free Millennium Place could be examined in the future if it is successful during the Olympics.

The site outside the Transport Museum is set to be a hub of activity during this summer's Games with a huge TV screen attracting visitors to the city centre.

But it will also become a smoke-free zone under a new council campaign to lower smoking rates in the city.

Health spokesman Coun Joe Clifford - who also chairs Coventry's Smoke free Alliance - said the scheme could be looked at being made permanent after the Olympics.

"If it is successful, it might be something for the future," he told us.

"We've made great strides in the last ten years but 25 per cent of people in Coventry still smoke. Many want to give up and we want to help them live longer and healthier lives."

The council does not have power to ban people smoking outside and is unable to physically stop anyone wishing to smoke at the venue.

But Coun Clifford added he hoped the smoke-free campaign would be adhered to in a similar way to that of the city centre beach - which remained smoke free and was enjoyed by many young children.

"It promises to be a fantastic event with people getting together at the big screen, particularly families and children.

"We're not going to put signs in people's faces, there will be signs on the big screen.

"But I'm sure most reasonable people will comply with it. Anyone who thinks it's unreasonable will have difficulty in justifying that.

"There will be people on hand to point smokers in the direction of the rear of Millennium Place where they will be free to smoke."

Smoking rates in Coventry are above the national average and smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the city.

Acting director of health for NHS Coventry John Fore has backed the idea.

"The Olympics offers us a unique opportunity to encourage young people to choose a healthier, more active lifestyle," he said.