Wales to fine parents £100 for smoking at school gates and playgrounds
The tough new fines are being introduced in a bid to ‘denormalise smoking’ for children.
Parents who smoke outside school gates and in public playgrounds will have to cough up £100.
The tough new fines are being introduced in Wales in a bid to ‘denormalise smoking’ for children.
Parents and carers – including childminders – will be banned from lighting up while waiting for their kids in outdoor areas, including hospital entrances.
The measure, to be introduced from the beginning of March, will also mean Welsh homeowners are no longer allowed to smoke when workers are in their property.
And the move will also be extended to include self-contained holiday cottages, caravans and Airbnbs by March next year.
Welsh Government minister, Baroness Eluned Morgan, believes the measure will reduce the number of young people taking up smoking and 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,’ she said.
‘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.’
Baroness Morgan, minister for mental health, wellbeing and Welsh language, added: ‘Many smokers have already been motivated by Covid-19 to quit and we know quitting with support provides the best chance to stop smoking for good.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted the Welsh Government to query whether the ban also applies to people vaping.
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