Breda has achieved a national first with the opening of Seeligpark on Wednesday by introducing the first fully smoke-free urban park in the Netherlands. The measure is part of Breda’s broader health strategy aimed at shifting social attitudes toward smoking and making healthier behavior the natural, expected option.

Located on the grounds of the former Seeligkazerne along Fellenoordstraat in Breda, the new park enforces a ban on both tobacco smoking and vaping. The policy is being introduced as a one-year pilot. The site adds around 3.5 hectares of newly created green space to the city.

Rather than enforcing the rule through fines issued by BOAs, the municipality relies on clear, visible communication. Signs placed at park entrances and throughout the area state that smoking and vaping are not allowed, and visitors are encouraged to gently remind each other of the policy. According to health alderman Arjen van Drunen, the intention is to shift social behaviour over time, building on earlier smoke-free initiatives such as bus stops in the city, he said to NOS in February.

A survey conducted by Hart van Nederland shows that 62 percent of Dutch are supportive of the idea. More than half added that they are in favor of all parks in the Netherlands becoming smoke-free.

Tobacco expert Esther Croes of the Trimbos Institute calls it an important step. “Not starting to smoke is easier than quitting,” she says. Croes added that reducing the number of smokers on the streets will prevent more young people from following in their footsteps. She admitted that she understands that some smokers may see the measure as patronizing.

Wednesday’s opening signals the completion of the park’s initial phase. In a future stage of development, the Nieuwe Mark river will be routed through the site, which should ultimately allow the park to be reached by boat.

The project forms part of the wider “Breda Stad in een Park” strategy, under which the municipality aims to provide green space within 200 metres of all residents and to become Europe’s first city fully integrated into a park setting by 2030.

The park is a direct implementation of the health vision “Bold, Healthy and Happy 2024–2040,” which aims to achieve a completely smoke-free generation by 2035.