Plans to trial a smoking ban on one of Pembrokeshire's beaches 'sparked' a heated response from a Tenby councillor this week.

Proposals put forward to introduce a trial smoke-free beach in the county have been backed by Pembrokeshire County Council's environment overview and scrutiny committee.

In a report to the committee, the head of public protection, Mark Elliott, suggested a voluntary ban on a 'designated local beach' for a trial period.

He explained that there are similar initiatives in Italy, Australia and the US, and it would be a "tremendous health and economic driver" for the county - although it would be a voluntary ban and not enforced.

The committee also backed a proposal to introduce smoke and e-cigarette-free playgrounds across the county.

The ban would also extend to Pembrokeshire's playing fields, sports grounds and car parks associated with these areas.

Discussing the matter at Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she had seen the news item where the authority's cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, Clr. Huw George, had given his views on the smoking ban proposals, and strongly disagreed.

"I have no objections to bans in playgrounds and other associated outdoor areas, but beaches... my goodness!" she told her colleagues.

"Tourism is our lifeblood, but what kind of message would this send out - don't come to Tenby if you smoke, or you will be frowned upon, was what it sounded like Clr. George wanted to get across!

"May I suggest that Clr. George and his department concentrate their energy on improving the state of Pembrokeshire's footpaths and beaches, which are strewn with litter and fly-tipping, and leave the tourists to smoke on the beaches," stated Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Commenting on the proposal in a statement from the county council released last week, Clr. George said: "We need to safeguard our children and young people from the harm of smoking and the rapidly developing interest by the under 18s in e-cigarettes. Seeing adults smoking in areas where sports are taking place and children are playing helps to normalise smoking making it seem harmless.

"Tobacco kills more than 5,000 people in Wales every year, not to mention the costs to health and other services from treatment of smoking related illnesses."

Both proposals will now go forward to the council's older persons, health and well-being overview and scrutiny committee before going to the council's cabinet which will decide whether to give them the final go-ahead.