From 1 March, Wales’ ban on smoking in hospital grounds,
children’s playgrounds and school grounds, as well as outdoor
day-care and child-minding settings, will be introduced. Anyone
caught breaking the law could face a £100 fine.
It is hoped preventing smoking on hospital sites will promote
healthier care environments and support smokers using hospital
services to quit.
The new restrictions build on the smoking ban introduced in 2007
which made indoor enclosed public places and workplaces
smoke-free. To protect more workers from the harms of second-hand
smoke, the law will also require those working in others’ homes
to be able to work in a smoke-free environment.
Smoking in bedrooms in hotels and guest houses, as well as in
self-contained holiday accommodation such as cottages, caravans
and Airbnb’s, are also being phased out and will be smoke-free
from 1 March 2022.
It is hoped the tighter restrictions will not only reduce
people’s exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, but will also
reduce the number of young people taking up smoking as well as
help those trying to quit.
Those looking to quit smoking in the new year are being urged to
access Wales’ free NHS support service, Help Me Quit on 0800 085
2219 www.helpmequit.wales
for help and support, including access to free stop smoking
medication.
Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language Eluned
Morgan said: “We are now just two months away from tighter
smoking restrictions coming into force in Wales and the start of
a new year is the perfect time to quit smoking. Many smokers have
already been motivated by Covid-19 to quit and we know quitting
with support provides the best chance of stop smoking for good.
Help Me Quit is ready to help at every step.
“Reducing the number of young people taking up smoking will save
lives. We know the harms smoking can do to health and so we’re
introducing these new requirements for the benefit of future
generations.
“Banning smoking outside hospitals and places where children and
young people spend their time, such as public playgrounds and
school grounds, will denormalise smoking and reduce the chances
of children and young people starting smoking in the first place.
“We are proud to be the first part of the UK to outlaw smoking in
these areas and once again leading the way.”
