Law to create smoke-free generation wins Senedd backing
The Senedd has voted to support a UK-wide Bill that aims to create a smoke-free generation and tackle the growing problem of youth vaping.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, meaning those currently aged 16 or younger will never legally be able to buy cigarettes.
The Bill, which applies across all four UK nations, is currently being considered by the House of Lords after receiving support from the House of Commons.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy welcomed the Senedd’s decision to support the legislative consent motion, describing it as a “historic day for public health in Wales”.
She said the law will help protect children and young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
Ahead of the vote, Ms Murphy met with school pupils who shared a poem they had written about smoke-free futures and gathered pledges from classmates and teachers to support their vision.
She said: “This is a historic day for public health in Wales. Despite the real progress we have made to reduce smoking levels, tobacco continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable disease and premature death in Wales.
“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides us with a unique opportunity to tackle smoking and the growing issue of youth vaping. It is an opportunity to comprehensively and significantly improve public health in Wales and the wider UK.”
The Welsh Government has previously led the way on anti-smoking measures, introducing laws to restrict smoking in outdoor public spaces including hospital grounds, school grounds and public playgrounds to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Professor Isabel Oliver, said: “Tobacco addiction kills thousands in Wales every year and continues to reinforce existing health inequalities. This Bill offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to break that cycle and protect future generations from a product that has caused immeasurable harm.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill also introduces new rules to prevent vaping products being marketed to young people, including tighter restrictions on advertising and packaging.
It will give enforcement officers greater powers through a new licensing system for tobacco and vape retailers, designed to help Trading Standards teams take action against illegal sales.
Trading Standards Wales will receive more than £650,000 in Welsh Government funding over the next three years to support enforcement, including the recruitment and training of five apprentices to assist with investigations into illegal tobacco and vape products.
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