Will the Welsh Government meet with the UK Government to discuss plans for further smoking restrictions, following the implementation of Part 3 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017?
Welsh Government Ministers and officials meet frequently with the UK Government to discuss measures to tackle smoking and its negative impacts on health and wellbeing. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill applied to Wales when it was laid in Parliament earlier this year and I was pleased to see its inclusion in the King’s Speech in July. I fully support the planned Bill’s aims to introduce a progressive smoking ban to create a smoke free generation and if passed, we will continue to work with the other governments across the UK to implement its provisions.
The Welsh Ministers already have comprehensive regulation making powers to designate smoke-free areas in Wales. In addition to restricting smoking in indoor workplaces and premises that are open to the public, on 1 March 2021 we introduced the landmark law (the first in the UK) to require all hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds and the outdoor care settings for children in Wales to be smoke-free. Section 13, Chapter 1, Part 3 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 enables the Welsh Ministers to go further if required and designate additional smoke-free premises. These premises do not need to be enclosed or substantially enclosed (i.e. they may be open spaces). As the majority of people in Wales are non-smokers, we continue to look at all options available to support people to enjoy public places, free from exposure to dangerous second-hand smoke.