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Smoking banned at Welsh beach to protect children's health Smoking banned at Welsh beach to protect children's health
(6 months later)
Smoking and vaping have been banned on one of Britain’s most beautiful and popular beaches in an attempt to improve the health of young people.Smoking and vaping have been banned on one of Britain’s most beautiful and popular beaches in an attempt to improve the health of young people.
Pembrokeshire county council in south-west Wales is launching a smoke-free scheme at Little Haven beach, arguing that children often begin smoking after seeing adults doing it in family-friendly places.Pembrokeshire county council in south-west Wales is launching a smoke-free scheme at Little Haven beach, arguing that children often begin smoking after seeing adults doing it in family-friendly places.
No official penalty will be imposed on anyone spotted puffing away at a cigarette, pipe, cigar or e-cigarette, but signs will be set up and beach users encouraged to self-police it.No official penalty will be imposed on anyone spotted puffing away at a cigarette, pipe, cigar or e-cigarette, but signs will be set up and beach users encouraged to self-police it.
The scheme is the first in Wales and may be the first of its kind in the UK. Brighton consulted on a possible ban on its beach but decided not to press ahead.The scheme is the first in Wales and may be the first of its kind in the UK. Brighton consulted on a possible ban on its beach but decided not to press ahead.
It is similar to a scheme introduced to two harbourside squares in Bristol, which was criticised by some who argued that smoking bans in public places infringe on personal freedoms.It is similar to a scheme introduced to two harbourside squares in Bristol, which was criticised by some who argued that smoking bans in public places infringe on personal freedoms.
Related: In the polarising debate about vaping, we've forgotten to ask the right questions | Alex Wodak
The scheme at Little Haven in the Pembrokeshire coast national park will be trialled for a year. Launching it, councillor Huw George, the cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said: “We take public health very seriously. We want to do as much as we can to protect our children from smoking and to promote a health and wellbeing environment for all.”The scheme at Little Haven in the Pembrokeshire coast national park will be trialled for a year. Launching it, councillor Huw George, the cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said: “We take public health very seriously. We want to do as much as we can to protect our children from smoking and to promote a health and wellbeing environment for all.”
Thirty-five pupils from nearby Broad Haven primary school were taking part in the launch event, symbolising the number of children said to take up smoking every day in Wales alone.Thirty-five pupils from nearby Broad Haven primary school were taking part in the launch event, symbolising the number of children said to take up smoking every day in Wales alone.
George said: “Two–thirds of smokers start before the age of 18. We need to prevent children and young adults taking up the habit.George said: “Two–thirds of smokers start before the age of 18. We need to prevent children and young adults taking up the habit.
“We know children are at particular risk from second-hand smoke and that they are more likely to start smoking themselves if they see adults doing it in a family-friendly environment.“We know children are at particular risk from second-hand smoke and that they are more likely to start smoking themselves if they see adults doing it in a family-friendly environment.
“It is vital to de-normalise smoking to reduce the rates of young people taking it up and also to reduce their exposure to smoke and e-cigarette vapour in areas where they gather.”“It is vital to de-normalise smoking to reduce the rates of young people taking it up and also to reduce their exposure to smoke and e-cigarette vapour in areas where they gather.”
George stressed the ban was voluntary and no penalties would be enforced for ignoring it.George stressed the ban was voluntary and no penalties would be enforced for ignoring it.
“Appropriate signage will be on display informing beach users of the ban,” he said. “Anyone breaching it may be approached and politely requested not to smoke. It is similar to the ban on smoking in play areas across Wales.”“Appropriate signage will be on display informing beach users of the ban,” he said. “Anyone breaching it may be approached and politely requested not to smoke. It is similar to the ban on smoking in play areas across Wales.”
The scheme is being backed by Dr Ruth Hussey, chief medical officer for Wales and the Hywel Dda University health board. Teresa Owen, director of public health for the board, said: “Anything which discourages smoking is a positive step forward.”The scheme is being backed by Dr Ruth Hussey, chief medical officer for Wales and the Hywel Dda University health board. Teresa Owen, director of public health for the board, said: “Anything which discourages smoking is a positive step forward.”