What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of any impact on Wales of the proposed UK Government changes to planning regulations relating to vape shops in England, and what consideration has the Welsh Government given to introducing similar planning restrictions in Wales?
The Welsh Government will consider what contribution the planning system can make to address this during the next review of planning legislation relating to use classes. However, planning law may be limited in what it can achieve as the sale of e-cigarettes or vapes may be ancillary to the primary use of a business.
This August, the Welsh Government established the Town Centre Taskforce, which will consider a range of issues affecting town centres across Wales, including the diversity of town centre uses and potential planning reforms to support vibrant and sustainable town centres.
A key provision of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 is the introduction of a licensing scheme for retailers in Wales selling tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. The Welsh Government is committed to making use of these new powers as soon as possible to maximise wider public health benefits and will be engaging with key stakeholders, including local authorities, on progress and timescales for implementation.