Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s position on e-cigarettes?
We are committed to reducing smoking rates in Wales. We recognise that some smokers have found e-cigarettes to be useful in their attempts to stop smoking but evidence of their effectiveness in helping people to stop smoking and their longer-term health effects are still being evaluated. The combined use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products is likely to increase risks to health. E-cigarettes should not be used by non-smokers or young people.
The Welsh Government is currently working with partners in Wales to develop a shared consensus about e-cigarettes. Members of the Chief Medical Officer’s Tobacco Control Strategic Board reviewed a draft consensus statement on e-cigarettes at their December meeting. Those members are now being asked to consider this draft statement at an organisational level. The agreed consensus statement on e-cigarettes and the list of signatory organisations will be published shortly.