More of Wales’ stunning coastline is being protected from the devastating harms of cigarette pollution, as beaches on Ynys Môn have become the first in north Wales to sign-up to smoke-free status.

The sand and sea at Benllech, on the east of the island, and Treaddur Bay on the west, will now be designated as smoke-free. Locals, visitors and tourists alike will be asked to support the initiative by choosing not to smoke on these beaches.

Cigarette butts are the number one most littered item in the world and pose a major threat to the marine environment. Over time, each butt will break apart into microplastics, seeping toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic and formaldehyde into the fragile marine ecosystem and watercourses.

ASH Wales believes that preventing smoking on Wales’ beaches will play a significant part in reducing litter and protecting wildlife, and will also have a role in preventing children from starting to smoke in the first place.

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said:

“It is fantastic that Ynys Môn has become the first local authority in north Wales to sign up to smoke-free status and make two more of Wales’ beaches smoke-free. Not only will more smoke-free places help protect people from harmful second-hand smoke and reduce the environmental damage from smoking, but they will help make smoke-free the norm in Wales, discourage young people from taking up smoking and support more smokers to quit.

“We want to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and creating more smoke-free spaces is one way we can achieve this. This is why it is important we respect our surroundings and all work together to limit the harmful effects of smoking on our beautiful Welsh landscapes as well its associated health and environmental risks.”

Chief Executive of ASH Wales, Suzanne Cass, said:

“Public support for smoke-free beaches remains high in Wales with around 6 in 10 in favour, so it’s great to see this partnership in action, implementing policies to improve people’s health, the environment and quality of life. We now need more to follow suit, to protect more of our coastline and our communities.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Acting Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Jane Moore, said:

“Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable illness and early death in Wales. If you smoke, then quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. Making public spaces smoke-free is a really important step to help denormalise smoking and can help to prompt people who do smoke to consider quitting.

“Help Me Quit services in north Wales have had one of their busiest years on record, with more than 5,000 people asking for help to stop smoking.”

Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn Leisure, Tourism and Maritime Portfolio Holder, Cllr Neville Evans added:

“People from all over the country, UK and world come to visit our beautiful island and its beaches. They are also an incredibly important resource for our local economy. Appropriate signage will be on display. We hope that this initiative will encourage beach visitors to take the small steps that can help make a big difference in our commitment to help protect the environment. Hopefully, in time, we will also see this extended to other beaches across Anglesey.”