Wales aims to stub out smoking by 2030

PLANS to end smoking in Wales by 2030 have been launched by the Welsh Government.

Tackling health inequalities and helping people quit are part of the scheme to make Wales smoke-free by the end of the decade.

Launching a consultation for the long-term tobacco control strategy Deputy Minister for Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said the target is for a smokefree Wales by 2030, which means less than 5% of the population smoking.

A consultation on the plan will run until January 31.

Research has also shown that people with a mental health illness are about twice as likely to smoke as others who do not suffer from mental health issues.

This year Wales became the first UK nation to introduce smoke-free playgrounds, school grounds and hospital grounds.

Next year, on March 1, 2022, there will be a ban on smoking bedrooms in hotels and guest houses as well as in self-contained holiday accommodation such as cottages, caravans and AirBnBs.

“Not only does making more public places smokefree protect people from harmful second-hand smoke, these areas have an important role in making smoke-free the norm and in supporting more smokers to quit,” the Welsh Government said.

The consultation will seek people’s views on how to create a smoke-free society in Wales as well as the actions set out in the first two-year delivery plan. The strategy will also look at how additional support can be given to help more people quit through the free NHS service, Help Me Quit as well as plans to expand help for smokers who are in hospital. Publicly-funded organisations could also be asked to be smoke-free and to support their workforce to get advice and support to quit smoking.

Ms Neagle said: “Our ambition is make Wales smoke free and to support people to make choices to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Wales has led the way by being the first part of the UK to ban smoking in some public places, including public playgrounds and school grounds where children and young people spend their time but we know we need to do more to strengthen our smoke-free message, particularly to the next generation.”