RESEARCH ALERT
Some vapes use added chemicals to create a cold or icy feeling. New research has raised concerns about three of them: WS-23, WS-3 and WS-5. We do not yet know how common they are in Wales.
Smoke-free Playgrounds
Past campaign · policy change achieved
ASH Wales campaigned for playgrounds to become smokefree spaces where children could play without smoking being part of the scene around them.
This campaign helped build local support for voluntary smokefree playgrounds across Wales before national legislation made the requirement law.
What changed?
The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 created the legal framework for further smokefree settings. From 1st March 2021, all public playgrounds covered by the legislation in Wales became smokefree at all times.
Where a playground has no defined boundary, the smokefree area extends within five metres of play equipment.
The campaign
Before the national law, councils and communities across Wales introduced voluntary smokefree playgrounds. ASH Wales supported that movement through campaign work, signage and local engagement.
Examples included work in Anglesey, Caerphilly and Denbighshire, where local authorities, young people and schools helped make smokefree play areas visible in their communities.
Where things stand now
Smoking in public playgrounds covered by the Welsh legislation is now against the law. Those responsible for the playground must take reasonable steps to prevent smoking and display the required signage.
Explore current ASH Wales work
This page records an earlier campaign. See our current campaigns and smokefree environments work for what we are focusing on now.