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Smoke-free School Gates

While it’s illegal to smoke within school grounds in Wales, this legislation doesn’t extend to the school gates. Smoking outside schools is a highly visible behaviour, influencing young minds. Research shows that children who regularly see adults smoking are more likely to take up the habit themselves.

In Wales, 8% of 15–16-year-olds still smoke regularly – a figure that has not fallen since 2013. Each year, around 6,000 children in Wales take up smoking, and three-quarters of these will become long-term smokers. Tackling visible smoking in places frequented by children is crucial to breaking this cycle.

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What We're Calling For?

Why It Matters?

Protecting Children

When children see smoking near their schools, it normalises the habit and makes it appear socially acceptable. Reducing this visibility helps prevent future generations from starting to smoke, creating a healthier Wales.

Community Role Models

School gates are where families and community members gather daily. By asking adults to refrain from smoking here, we can promote positive role modelling and create an environment that reinforces healthy behaviour.

Reducing Health Inequalities

Smoking has a bigger impact on children from lower-income families, leading to lifelong health inequalities. Smoke-free school gates is a simple yet powerful way to protect vulnerable children.

Get Involved

If you’d like to make your school gates smoke-free or learn more about the campaign, please get in touch with our team at communications@ashwales.org.uk or call 029 2049 0621.

Let’s work together to protect children, families, and communities from the harms of smoking.

Download Our FREE Resources

We’ve developed a range of free resources to help schools, councils, and communities implement smoke-free school gates.

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Your support helps us create impactful campaigns and provide free resources to schools and communities across Wales. Every donation brings us closer to a smoke-free generation.

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