Ballynanty Rovers Kick Off ‘Not Around Us’ Campaign to Tackle Smoking and Vaping

Deputising for Mayor John Moran, Cllr Frankie Daly is pictured with Ballynanty Rovers team members at a launch event for the Not Around Us campaign in Shelbourne Park.

Ballynanty Rovers ‘Not Around Us’ campaign is on to a winner by making them Limerick’s first smoke and vape-free soccer club

Ballynanty Rovers is proudly championing the ‘Not Around Us’ campaign, aiming to create a healthier environment for their community and beyond.

The ‘Not Around Us’ initiative promotes spaces where it is easier for smokers and vapers to quit, and stay quit, while also helping to de-normalise smoking for the next generation.

This health promotion campaign is led by Limerick City and County Council’s Healthy Limerick, in partnership with the HSE and various community and youth organisations.

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‘Not Around Us’ signs are available for any public or outdoor space where children and young people are likely to gather, reducing their exposure to smoking and vaping.

The campaign will strengthen Ballynanty Rovers’ existing Smoke Free Side-line policy.

The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, John Moran is commending the club’s approach, saying, “I want to congratulate Ballynanty Rovers on being the first soccer club in Limerick to champion the Not Around Us campaign, building on their own Smoke Free Side-line policy. As Mayor, I am committed to improving both our environment and public health, recognising the deep connection between the two. We also want spaces in our community where we are confident that young people are not being exposed to smoking and vaping.”

Mayor Moran added, “Just this week, we heard of the European Commission proposal to increase the number of places that should be smoke-free environments. It is great to see Limerick and Ballynanty Rovers racing ahead of even the latest EU proposal.”

Deputising for the Mayor of Limerick at a launch event in Shelbourne Park, Cllr Frankie Daly commented, “By embracing the ‘Not Around Us’ campaign, Ballynanty Rovers is taking a significant step towards fostering a healthier environment for everyone involved. Creating smoke-free and vape-free side-lines not only benefits the players but also sets a positive example for the entire community. I would encourage other clubs to join us in promoting a healthier, smoke-free future for our children.”

Co-ordinator, Healthy Limerick, Olivia O’Brien commented, “The aims of the ‘Not Around Us’ campaign are to de-normalise smoking and vaping for the next generation and to protect children and young people from second-hand smoke. We are delighted to work with Ballynanty Rovers on this campaign empowering the club to take action at a local level in helping to de-normalise smoking and vaping for the next generation and create cleaner, healthier environments for their own club and others.”

Chairperson of Ballynanty Rovers, Christian Meehan said “Our primary goal is to safeguard our children’s health and support them in playing football. We signed up for the ‘Not Around Us’ initiative to ensure non-smoking side-lines and keep smoking and vaping away from our kids, our community, and our club. The response has been positive, and we hope other clubs will follow suit. We’ve seen great success, and any supporters we’ve asked to stop smoking have responded positively.”

People who want to quit smoking or vaping can scan a QR code on the ‘Not Around Us’ signage that will direct them to key information on the campaign, how to get involved and signpost to QUIT services.

People who want to quit smoking and vaping can contact the QUIT Mid-West service on 065 6865841 or the national Freephone Number 1800 201 203.