Managers of Plopsa Coo and Plopsaland De Panne amusement parks have announced in a press release that smoking will be prohibited in the parks starting from April 1st. The parks will have designated smoking areas, with three available in Coo and five in De Panne. This move sets Plopsa parks ahead of other children’s gathering places as smoking bans are only expected to be mandatory by 2025. Plopsa officials have stated they decided to introduce the ban earlier to follow the government’s reasoning. Plopsaland park manager Wim Wauters welcomes the government’s initiatives and acknowledges the difficulty of enforcing the rules around the park.
As the managers of the Plopsa Coo and Plopsaland De Panne parks warn in a press release, it will be from April 1st, smoking in the amusement parks.
“From April 1 and the start of the amusement park season, Plopsaland De Panne and Plopsa Coo will become completely non-smoking”, they write.
However, the parks will set up areas reserved for smokers. There will be three in Coo and five in De Panne.
Plopsa parks are ahead of other children’s gathering places. Indeed, this smoking ban should be mandatory for… 2025. But “While the ban on smoking in amusement parks should not be implemented before 2025, Plopsa decided to follow the reasoning of the government and to ‘introduce a smoking ban as soon as the amusement park season opens’, comment the park officials.
“I welcome the initiatives of the government. We had to go through the exercise of making the rules actually applicable. It is very difficult to walk around the park and warn people,’” said Plopsaland park manager Wim Wauters.
In conclusion, Plopsa Coo and Plopsaland De Panne have made a proactive decision to ban smoking in their parks from the start of the amusement park season on April 1st. Although the ban is not mandatory until 2025, the park officials have chosen to follow the reasoning of the government and take action now. The parks will provide designated smoking areas for those who still wish to smoke. It is a commendable move by Plopsa parks to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors, especially children. We hope other amusement parks and public gathering places will follow suit to create a healthier environment for everyone.