Celebrating National No-Smoking Day in North Wales

10/03/2021

People across North Wales are being encouraged to improve their health and wellbeing and quit smoking.

The call comes as part of National No-Smoking Day 2021 (10 March) and less than a fortnight after all of the Health Board’s hospitals and health centres were legally designated as Smoke-Free sites.

Teresa Owen, Executive Director of Public Health, said: “This is a great opportunity to remind people about the clear benefits of stopping smoking and to help signpost the support that is available to help them do that.

“Smoking is still one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the country and can also harm those exposed to second-hand smoke.

“We believe that with the right support people can help themselves and others by stopping and we want to encourage people to access the free NHS services available to do that.

“We think that making it illegal to smoke in any hospital grounds another other public areas has been a big step forward in protecting people from harm, but there is still more to do.”

New laws introduced across Wales on 1 March 2021 built on the smoking ban introduced in 2007 and aim to protect more people from harmful second-hand smoke and help those trying to quit.

The new law means that all parts of the hospital grounds are now smoke-free and anyone found breaking the law by smoking can face a £100 fine.

The new laws will also cover spaces where children and young people spend their time – such as school grounds and public playgrounds, as well as the outdoor areas of children’s day care and childminding settings.

Those looking to quit smoking are encouraged to access the free NHS Wales support service, Help Me Quit, on 0800 085 2219 or www.helpmequit.wales for help and support, including access to free stop smoking medication.