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Voluntary smoking ban trialled at second Welsh beach

A voluntary smoking ban starts today in a trial at Caswell Bay, Swansea.

Credit: Google Maps

Swansea Council says it's part of a drive to create more smoke-free places in the city. Little Haven in Pembrokeshire was the first smoke-free beach.

We know that seeing smoking highly influences young people and it is imperative we do anything we can to stop smoking being seen as 'normal' and keep our next generation away from tobacco's clutches.

Caswell Bay is a picturesque area in Swansea. Chemical-filled cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world with over 4 trillion tonnes being dropped annually. A voluntary ban on smoking here will have a huge impact on preserving this area's natural beauty by reducing litter which pollutes our beaches and waterways.

– Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive ASH Wales Cymru

But campaigners have criticised Swansea Council following the announcement. Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said:

Smoking in the open air poses no risk to anyone else's health, nor is there evidence that the sight of a stranger smoking encourages children to smoke.

Youth smoking rates are currently at their lowest levels ever so this policy is both intrusive and unnecessary.

– Simon Clark, Forest