Welsh Government announces plan for smoke-free Wales

The Welsh government has unveiled plans for a new long-term tobacco control strategy "A Smoke-free Wales".

Announced by Lynne Neagle, Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, the strategy lays out a plan for Wales to be smoke-free by 2030. This includes reducing smoking rates among adults to 5 per cent or less over the next eight years. A series of two-year delivery plans will be put in place, setting out the actions needed to achieve the goal.

In the process of writing the strategy, a review was commissioned on the previous strategy from 2012 and previous delivery plans.

Neagle said: "I have carefully considered the responses and a number of changes have been made to the strategy and delivery plan. I was pleased to see the support for our ambition to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and for the three themes identified in the strategy. I also noted from the feedback the clear importance of protecting children, young people and future generations from the dangers of tobacco and that addressing maternal smoking should be a key priority for us in achieving a smoke-free society. We have therefore strengthened our commitment to addressing these areas in response. We will also work with people and communities to understand the reasons for higher smoking rates among some groups in society and to develop effective support measures to help people quit smoking."

Image: Pixabay