Since Wednesday afternoon, Breda has had a new city park: the Seeligpark. The former closed military site has been transformed into a green spot in the middle of the city. What is special is that the park is completely smoke-free, making it the first in the Netherlands.
“Today we are taking an important step: from a closed barracks site to an open park for everyone,” says Councilor Eddie Förster of Urban Development. The opening marks the beginning of the park, but Defense will still use some of the buildings in the coming years. They are expected to leave in 2029. The next phase will then start and the park will receive its final design.
Non-smoking
The new park is completely smoke-free. This is not an isolated phenomenon: the smoking ban is continuing to expand. Smoking has not been allowed in cafes and pubs since 2008, and a ban is also being imposed in more and more outdoor areas – such as queues at amusement parks such as the Efteling. This often leads to criticism at first, but according to councilor and initiator of the smoke-free park Arjen van Drunen, people understand it.
“First you hear: is that really necessary, shouldn’t I know that myself?” Van Drunen previously explained to the NOS. “We also said that when it was no longer allowed in cafes. Then at playgrounds. But everyone now thinks it’s normal there.”
Enforcement
“It’s not like a boa will immediately come after you if you smoke,” says Van Drunen. There will be signs stating that smoking is not allowed. During the first year, Breda wants to see how well people adhere to the smoking ban and what the effects are.
Statement
I think it’s a good idea that you are no longer allowed to smoke in a park.
