I was a pupil in State schools from the early fifties, and a teacher all my working life. I was smacked on the hand a few times, and have smacked pupils on the hand too (but not often)
In Scotland I saw the tawse used sometimes, and found it unpleasant and overly violent.
But I have never seen anyone smack a child on the face.
It seems to me that anyone who would do this is completely lacking in self control, and is a cruel bully.