The Hague to introduce smoke- and vape-free school zones in the coming school year

With this step, The Hague is taking an important step towards a healthier living environment, especially for children and young people. The municipal executive is opting for an informal approach that is already working well in other municipalities. With signs, information and cooperation with schools and the GGD, we are making it clear together that smoking and vaping around schools is no longer normal. “I am incredibly proud that The Hague’s city council supported this motion and that the municipal executive is now actually getting to work. For children, it should go without saying that they can go to school without being confronted with smoke or vape. This way, we not only protect their health, but also reinforce the norm that smoking is becoming less and less commonplace in our city,” says Caroline Verduin, D66 city councillor in The Hague.

According to D66, the decision fits within the broader ambition to make The Hague healthier and more liveable. “A smoke- and vape-free environment is not only good for health, but also contributes to a more pleasant public space,” says Verduin. “With this, The Hague is one of the first municipalities to take the step towards smoke-free areas around schools.”
In the coming period, the municipality will consult with schools, neighbourhood organisations and health institutions about the implementation of the zones. D66 will closely monitor the implementation. “The policy is ready, but the change is only just beginning,” says Verduin. “If we do this properly together with schools and parents, a generation will grow up in The Hague for whom smoking is simply no longer part of the streetscape.”

In its response to the motion, the municipal executive states that it has opted for informal smoke- and vape-free zones around all schools. According to the municipal executive, informal zones – clear signage and information combined with active management of the area around the school grounds or entrances – are likely to be more effective than formal zones, which would involve a legally and operationally complex smoking ban in the General Municipal Bye-Law (APV). The municipality can support schools by making knowledge and materials available. It is also important that schools themselves are willing to actively get to work on implementing and managing smoke- and vape-free zones around their premises. The municipality has entered into discussions with schools about this.