As the Yorkshire Coast gears up for the summer season, new polling shows overwhelming public support for smokefree beaches in Yorkshire and the Humber.
A YouGov survey commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) shows that 61% of residents support banning smoking on beaches.
The survey, which included 1,125 adults from the region, also found that two-thirds (67%) back the proposed ‘Smokefree Generation’ policy—central to the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill—which would prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2009.
Support for smokefree environments across Yorkshire and the Humber remains strong and consistently above national averages:
- 93% support bans in school grounds and playgrounds
- 81% in hospital grounds
- 78% in public transport waiting areas
- 60% in outdoor areas of pubs, cafés, and restaurants
- 56% in parks
- 69% in university or college grounds
East Riding resident Nigel Rowe said:
“I think having more smokefree places is a good idea—especially beaches and parks. There are always children playing and families enjoying the outdoors, and it just feels right to keep those spaces clean and healthy. Cigarette butts not only messy, but they're also harmful to animals and the environment. I think most people who smoke would understand the importance of protecting these spaces for the greater good.”
The poll also showed:
- 64% of people in the Yorkshire and Humber region want to live in a country where no-one smokes.
- 45% believe the Government isn’t doing enough to tackle smoking.
- 86% support tobacco retail licensing.
- 76% back a Big Tobacco levy to fund quitting services and youth prevention.
These findings reflect a significant shift in public attitudes, with growing awareness of smoking’s harms and increasing demand for stronger regulation and enforcement.
Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, said:
“We need bold, continued action to prevent uptake, help smokers quit, and reduce harm. The survey clearly shows the public is not only on board—they’re eager for more action to make it happen. What I find most striking is the public’s desire to hold Big Tobacco accountable. With the industry profiting an estimated £900 million annually at the expense of our health, it’s only right they contribute to fixing the harm they’ve caused. A £700 million annual levy, tapering as smoking declines, could fund vital public health initiatives, reduce health inequalities, and ease the burden on taxpayers.”
With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill nearing Royal Assent, the Centre for Excellence urges MPs to match public ambition by:
- Passing the Bill in full and ensuring timely implementation
- Introducing a Tobacco Industry Levy to fund cessation and prevention
- Publishing a Roadmap to a Smokefree Country to accelerate progress
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