Smokers asked to move away

Woy Woy South Public School principal Mr Terry Greedy has asked smokers not to congregate near the school gates.

In the school's newsletter dated March 26, Mr Greedy reminded parents that the school was a smoke-free zone.

"While this does not cover the area outside the school gates, out of courtesy, it would be appreciated if smokers who need to have a cigarette when they are at the school, could move away from the entry gates to do so," said Mr Greedy.

"By congregating in groups near the gates, the cigarettes create an unpleasant cloud of smoke that students and parents have to walk through to enter the school.

"The reason the school is a smoke free zone is because of the irrefutable evidence regarding the damage caused by passive smoking and the negative effect cigarette butts have on our environment.

"Those people who need to have a cigarette have every right to light up outside the school grounds.

"However, the members of our school community who choose not to smoke or expose their children to cigarette smoke also have a right to be able to enter the school grounds without being exposed to cigarette smoke.

"With the increase in parental complaints about this situation, it is clear that the problem is growing.

"To ensure the rights of all members of the school community are respected by all parties, I would appreciate it if the gates to the school remained free of smoke," said Mr Greedy.

Newsletter, 26 Mar 2013

Terry Greedy, Woy Woy South Public School