Wales set to ban smoking outside hospitals and schools
SMOKERS face being fined if they are caught lighting up in the grounds of hospitals, schools and playgrounds.
Wales will be the first UK country to extend the smoking ban to include set outdoor areas by summer 2019.
Power to enforce the ban will lie with local authorities, who will be given permission to appoint enforcement officers to uphold the law.
Fines will stand at £50 – reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days.
It comes as Health Secretary Vaughan Gething visited the maternity unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan and heard from mothers who complained people were often smoking outside as they brought young babies to and from the facility.
The hospital management team said they have also received complaints about people smoking at the newly refurbished main entrance and at other entrances.
The changes will make it illegal to smoke in the hospital grounds, with legal backing for fines to be issued to smokers breaking the rules,
Mr 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 support.
“This is another step in the right direction to de-normalise smoking in Wales.”
Teresa Owen, executive director of Public Health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “A hospital is no place for smoking and the health board is determined to create a smokefree 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 legislation will be introduced under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which was passed by Assembly Members last year.