As of today, all hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds and the outdoor areas of day-care and child-minding settings in Cowbridge and the rest of Wales are required to be smoke-free.

New laws, being introduced across the country today, [1 March] build on the smoking ban introduced in 2007, to protect the public's health, both by aiming to discourage people from starting smoking in the first place and to support those trying to quit.

The legislation will also protect more people from harmful second-hand reduce the chances of children starting smoking.

Anyone found breaking the law by smoking in the hospital grounds could face a £100 fine.

Executive Director of Public Health Fiona Kinghorn says, "This is great news for the people of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

"Preventing people smoking on our hospital grounds will promote healthier care environments, protect hospital users from harmful second-hand smoke and support those using NHS services to quit."

Many smokers have already been motivated to give up smoking due to the COVID-19 pandemic, say the health board and it is hoped this new legislation will encourage even more to. Quitting with support provides the best chance of stopping smoking for good.

The new laws will also cover spaces where children and young people spend their time – such as school grounds and public playgrounds, as well as the outdoor areas of children's day-care and childminding settings.

Making more places in Wales smoke-free will denormalise smoking and reduce the chances of children and young people starting smoking in the first place– a huge benefit to the next generation.

"We know the harms smoking can do to health, so I look forward to having the backing of our staff, patients and visitors, to ensure we all play our part in building a healthier Wales for the future," adds Len Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff and Vale Health Board.

"These regulations help reinforce Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's No Smoking and Smoke Free Policy introduced in 2013 and build on the extensive work that we have all done in implementing this policy to date."

Those looking to quit smoking are encouraged to access Wales' free NHS support service, Help Me Quit, on 0800 085 2219 or www.helpmequit.wales for help and support, including access to free stop smoking medication.