Donegal campaign to keep smoking and vaping out of sight - Donegal Daily

Donegal County Council has launched a new campaign aimed at making smoking and vaping less visible around young people in public spaces across the county.The He...

Donegal County Council has launched a new campaign aimed at making smoking and vaping less visible around young people in public spaces across the county.

The Healthy Ireland-funded ‘Not Around Us’ initiative was launched at Letterkenny Public Services Centre and will see signage installed at public buildings, while also encouraging other organisations and businesses to create smoke-free and vape-free environments.

The campaign, run in conjunction with the HSE, also directs people who want to quit smoking towards local Stop Smoking Services.

Donegal County Council will install signage in over 30 publicly used buildings to promote the campaign and advertise support services.

The campaign aims to work with local businesses, organisations and events taking place in the county to make them smoke and vape-free also.

Free signage will be provided to any organisation who would like to sign up and engage in this programme.

Pictured at the launch are (from L to R): Shaun Murphy (Facilities Manager, Donegal County Council), Fiona Boyle (Tobacco Lead, HSE), Elaine Robinson (Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Letterkenny University Hospital), Cara Currid (HSE Stop Smoking Advisor Gaeltacht area), Sarah Thompson (HSE Stop Smoking Advisor Inishowen area), Sean Canning (Healthy Ireland Co-Ordinator, Donegal County Council).

Not Around Us is about promoting an environment where it is easier for those who smoke/vape to quit, and stay quit, and to help de-normalise smoking/vaping for the next generation.

The campaign is in response to the Irish Government’s most recent legislative changes such as the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 which aims to future-proof restrictions by regulating the packaging, appearance, flavours, and signage of e-cigarettes/vaping products, alongside banning sales to children and eliminating self-service vending machine availability.

Healthy Donegal; in collaboration with relevant statutory, community, voluntary and private organisations in the County is encouraging organisations which have publicly accessible places and spaces where children and young people access play, recreation and learning opportunities, to engage in this programme.

Organisations can obtain more information and sign up to the campaign through the Healthy Donegal page on the Donegal County Council website: www.donegalcoco.ie/services/community/community-development/healthy-donegal/

Donegal County Council through Healthy Donegal and in conjunction with the HSE Donegal Community Stop Smoking Services Team promotes the denormalisation of smoking and vaping at every opportunity and the protection of children and young people from second hand smoke and vape - two of the underpinning objectives of the Tobacco Free Ireland Strategy.