Tackling health inequalities and more help to help people quit are key parts of a new plan to make Wales smoke-free by the end of the decade.
The Welsh Government has launched the consultation for the long term tobacco control strategy, A Smoke-free Wales. It will be open until 31 January 2022. The target of the strategy is a smoke-free Wales by 2030, which means less than 5% of the population smoking.
Whilst around 14% of people in Wales smoke, there are strong links between smoking and deprivation with those in more deprived areas more likely to smoke. Research has also shown that individuals with a mental illness are about twice as likely to smoke as others who do not suffer from mental health issues.
This year saw Wales become the first nation in the UK to introduce smoke-free playgrounds, school grounds and hospital grounds. Next year (on 1 March 2022) will see smoking bedrooms in hotels and guest houses banned, as well as in self-contained holiday accommodation such as cottages, caravans and AirBnBs.
The consultation will seek people’s views on how to create a smoke-free society in Wales as well as the detailed actions set out in the first two-year delivery plan.
The consultation ends on 31 January 2022 Tobacco control strategy for Wales and delivery plan | GOV.WALES