No butts about it as 3 beaches outlaw baccy

THREE popular beaches in North Wales have become “smoke-free zones” to safeguard nature and reduce the risk of wildfires.

- Andrew Forgrave

The initiative is only voluntary, with noticeboards erected at each site asking visitors not to light cigarettes.

The beaches - Porth Dafarch and Cemlyn on Anglesey, and Porthor on the Llŷn Peninsula - are all managed by National Trust Cymru. They were selected for their “environmental significance” with support from RSPB Cymru.

National Trust Cymru hopes smoke-free beaches will help protect wildlife and the coastlines by reducing environmental litter. According to Ash Wales Cymru, cigarette butts are one of the world's most littered items, posing a serious threat to marine environment and wildlife.

Over time, said the charity, each butt will break up into microplastics, leaching toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic and formaldehyde into fragile marine ecosystems. It’s hoped that by stopping people smoking on beaches, this will also protect young people from second-hand smoke and encourage them not to take up smoking.

Backing the initiative - launched on National Clean Air Day (June 19) - is Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing. She said: “Our ambition is to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and creating more smoke-free spaces is one way to achieve this.