Proposals to introduce a trial smoke-free beach in Pembrokeshire were backed today by Pembrokeshire County Council’s environment overview and scrutiny committee.
In a report to the committee, the Head of Public Protection, Mark Elliott, suggested a voluntary ban on a designated local beach for a trial period.
He says there are similar initiatives in Italy, Australia and the US, and it would be a ‘tremendous health and economic driver’ for the County – although it would be a voluntary ban and not enforced.
The committee also backed a proposal to introduce smoke and e-cigarette-free playgrounds across the County. The ban would also extend to Pembrokeshire’s playing fields, sports grounds and car parks associated with these areas.
Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services and the Welsh Language, said:
“We need to safeguard our children and young people from the harm of smoking and the rapidly developing interest by the under 18’s in e-cigarettes. Seeing adults smoking in areas where sports are taking place and children are playing helps to normalise smoking making it seem harmless.
“Tobacco kills more than 5,000 people in Wales every year, not to mention the costs to health and other services from treatment of smoking related illnesses.”
Both proposals will now go forward to the Council’s Older Persons, Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny before going to the Council’s Cabinet which will decide whether to give them the final go-ahead.
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