A new survey by ASH Wales Cymru today reveals that support for new tobacco laws among small business owners is particularly strong in Wales.
As Welsh MPs prepare to debate the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the second reading in Westminster, 58% of small businesses surveyed in Wales said they supported Welsh and UK governments’ plans to make it illegal for anyone born after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products1.
In addition, 86% of businesses surveyed in Wales said they would support the introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices for retailer breaches of age of sale legislation for vapes and tobacco products.
Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales Cymru, said: “This strong backing from businesses in Wales is significant because it flies in the face of tobacco industry rhetoric that public protection measures are bad for business – that clearly isn’t the case.
“We already know that some years ago, when display bans and standardised packaging were introduced for cigarettes, the majority of small businesses at that time said it had no impact on them at all.
“Responsible Welsh retailers know that raising the age of sale for tobacco products is the right thing to do, and they want businesses who breach legislation to be held accountable.”
When it comes to the age of sale legislation and the general population, more than 6 out of 10 people in Wales support the measures. In a survey recently by YouGov for ASH Wales 62 % said they were in favour, with 15% opposed.
Data from the ONS shows that Wales has the highest proportion of smokers among all the UK nations. Smoking is uniquely harmful and people need support to end their addiction. Every year in Wales, 5,600 people die from smoking related illnesses and smoking costs the Welsh NHS more than £300m.
According to UK government modelling, the legislation could eliminate smoking in under 30s by 2050.
Suzanne added: “We are urging all Welsh MPs to listen to their constituents, and to the evidence. Passing and implementing this bill will be a legacy they can be proud of, supporting one of the most monumental public health interventions in decades, protecting future generations in Wales from nicotine addiction and the devastating harms of tobacco.
“The clock is ticking on this Bill, there is only a limited amount of time to get it passed into law before the summer recess or a General Election. Failure to do so will result in unnecessary delay and more lives lost.”[/vc_column_text]
[1] The survey of independent retailers was conducted by NEMS, a market research company for ASH Wales, using computer-assisted telephone interviews among a random sample of 100 managers or owners of small shops selling tobacco in Wales. Retailers included newsagents, off-licences, specialist tobacconists, local convenience stores/supermarkets (including symbol groups), and independent fuel stations
Tables set out below for England and Wales, and England and Wales separately.
Question: The Government has announced legislation to raise the age of sale for tobacco for those born in 2009 or later by one year, every year, so it will never be legal to sell them tobacco. To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose this measure?
| England & Wales | England | Wales | |
| Unweighted base | 904 | 804 | 100 |
| Support | 51% | 50% | 58% |
| Oppose | 26% | 26% | 27% |
| Don’t know/ Neither support nor oppose | 23% | 25% | 15% |
For more information, contact louise.elliott@ashwales.org.uk 029 2049 0621
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