Smoke free beach launches in Pevensey
SMOKERS visiting Pevensey Bay will be asked to stub out their cigarettes as it becomes the third smoke free beach in the county.
Working in partnership, East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council have introduced the voluntary smoke free space in a bid to protect children and young people and the environment.
Pevensey Bay beach becomes the third smoke free beach in East Sussex following successful schemes at Camber Sands and Bexhill beach. These are the first voluntary smoke free beaches in England.
Cllr Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for adult social care and health, said: “We have seen how successful the voluntary initiative can be and hope that it will benefit Pevensey Bay, making people think twice before lighting up.
“Second-hand smoke is just as toxic outdoors as it is indoors, and we want to help create open spaces where children and young people are protected from harmful effects of smoking whilst they enjoy everything our coastline has to offer.”
As well as the health benefits, the move will protect the environment as cigarette butts are one of the most littered items, take years to biodegrade and leak chemicals into the sea as they breakdown, damaging delicate marine ecosystems.
Pevensey Bay beach falls within part of the Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone. It is a nationally important scheme protecting rare and/or threatened habitats and species including underwater chalk reefs, vulnerable blue mussel beds, short-snouted seahorses and cuckoo wrasse.
Cllr Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for public health and asset management, said, “We are trialling this scheme at Pevensey Bay beach as we want to support people to stop smoking and protect residents and the area from the harmful effects of smoking.
“Our natural environment, including beaches are an asset, and we need to ensure they are protected for everyone to enjoy. Not smoking at the beach will lessen the impacts on wildlife and the environment and we hope that people will voluntarily decide to not smoke at the beaches.”
Signs have been placed on the entrances to the beach and Sea Road and North Road car parks. It is hoped that visitors will be supportive of the initiative.
Residents wanting to kick the habit for good can access a range of support through One You East Sussex, including a recently launched 24/7 app. More information about the help available and the benefits of quitting can be found at https://oneyoueastsussex.org.uk/programmes/stop-smoking/
Ends.
Karen Bowles
Wednesday, 18 February 2026