Hospital grounds, school grounds and playgrounds in Wales to be smoke-free by summer 2019

A ban on smoking in school and hospital grounds and playgrounds in Wales will be in force by next summer, the Welsh Government has said.

It is hoped that the tougher laws will “de-normalise” smoking for children and young people – along with reducing passive smoking.

Wales will become the first UK country to ban smoking outside hospitals and schools, as well as near playgrounds.

While most hospitals already have no smoking policies in their grounds, it is currently difficult for staff to enforce this. However the new changes will make it illegal to smoke in the hospital grounds, with fines issued to smokers breaking the rules, therefore improving the environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething, visited the maternity unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, where staff told him they had received complaints from mothers about people smoking outside the hospital when they enter and leave with their young babies.

The Hospital Management Team has also received complaints about people smoking at the newly refurbished main entrance and at other entrances across the site.

Vaughan Gething said: “I am proud that Wales continues to be at the forefront of UK action to reduce smoking and prevent young people from taking it up in the first place.

“We have seen significant changes to the attitudes to smoking since 2007. Back then we received some resistance to change, but we have seen a remarkable culture-change and I am pleased our plan to extend smoke-free areas to outdoor public spaces has received overwhelming public support.

“This is another step in the right direction to de-normalise smoking in Wales.”

Smoking contributes most to the current burden of disease in Wales, causing approximately 5,450 deaths each year and costing the NHS an estimated £302m annually.

Teresa Owen, executive director of public health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, added: “A hospital is no place for smoking and the Health Board is determined to create a smoke-free environment.

“We receive numerous complaints about people smoking around the hospital, particularly near the main entrance. We need to find a way of ensuring our site is smoke free, while also supporting more patients, visitors and staff to quit.”

The changes to the smoke-free legislation will be introduced under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which was passed by Assembly Members last year.