Wales has become the first country in the UK to ban smoking on hospital or school grounds as well as public playgrounds and any outdoor childminding facilities, reports the Guardian.

The government said the new ruling has been put in place to protect people from second-hand smoke and also reduce the chances of children taking up the habit of smoking. Two hospitals in the south of Wales are being fitted with a push-button pad and audio-speaker system, which will play a recorded message to remind people smoking, is not permitted. Anyone found breaking the new law will face a fine of up to GBP 100, reports the Guardian.
The Welsh minister for mental health and wellbeing, Eluned Morgan is delighted that the country is taking a stance. “We are immensely proud to have brought into force this law. We’ve seen the impact of the indoor smoking ban and we hope this will be similarly successful,” she said.
On the other hand, Simon Clark, the director of Forest, a group that aims to protect the interests of adults who smoke and use tobacco was disappointed by the new law.
“Banning smoking on hospital grounds is particularly unjust because it targets smokers who may be stressed and in need of a comforting cigarette. Most smokers use their common sense and don’t smoke around small children. They don’t need politicians telling them how to behave.”