According to a report by Yahoo on January 29th, the Welsh government has decided to follow in the footsteps of England and Scotland by implementing a complete ban on the use of disposable e-cigarettes.
In addition, the Welsh government has stated its support for legislating to raise the legal smoking age proposed by the UK government, ensuring that children under the age of 15 born this year or thereafter will never be able to purchase tobacco legally.
In the nationwide consultation on smoking and e-cigarette regulations that concluded on December 6, 2021, Wales received 1018 responses, providing support for the development of relevant legislation.
Lynne Neagle, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Welsh government, stated that smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and premature death in Wales. She pointed out that smoking is the main contributor to one-fourth of cancer-related deaths in the UK, with around 5,600 preventable deaths occurring annually in Wales.
Despite e-cigarettes providing some assistance to smokers who want to quit, data shows that the number of children using e-cigarettes has doubled in the past three years. Due to the presence of nicotine in e-cigarettes, the long-term risks remain unclear, posing a potential threat of harm and addiction to children.
In the future, the Welsh government will focus on preventing young people from smoking for the first time, preventing teenagers from using e-cigarettes, and addressing the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes. The UK government also plans to limit flavors specifically targeted at the children's market through the Tobacco and E-cigarette Act, requiring manufacturers to use more suitable packaging and altering the way e-cigarettes are displayed in stores to prevent children from accessing them.
In addition, new fine regulations will be implemented in England and Wales, with shops illegally selling e-cigarettes to children facing fines of £100. The trading standards department will also take "on-the-spot" actions in cases of tobacco and e-cigarette sales to minors, with this being a new measure in addition to the existing maximum fine of £2500.
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