Understanding the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill marks a huge step forward for public health in Wales. It’s designed to protect our communities, especially our young people, from the harms of tobacco and unregulated vaping products. By making sure all tobacco and vape retailers are properly licensed, we’ll be better able to stop illegal sales, keep harmful products out of children’s hands, and create a healthier, safer Wales for everyone.

What Are The Plans?

Smoke-Free Generation

The bill aims to make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. This means that children turning 15 this year or younger will never be able to legally purchase tobacco, while current smokers can continue to do so.

Crack Down on Youth Vaping

New regulations will be introduced to restrict vape flavours, packaging, and point-of-sale displays to reduce their appeal to young people. These restrictions will also apply to non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine products like nicotine pouches

Enhance Enforcement Against Underage Sales

The bill empowers Trading Standards officers to issue £200 fixed penalty notices ‘on the spot’ for underage sales of tobacco and vapes, making it easier to clamp down on illegal sales and protect young people.

Implement a Retail Licensing Scheme:

A retail licensing scheme will be introduced for the sale of tobacco and nicotine products, ensuring that all retailers meet specific standards and comply with advertising restrictions, thereby strengthening public health protections across Wales.

Report Illegal Sales

Help protect your community by reporting illegal tobacco and vape sales. Every report helps remove dangerous products from circulation and stops illegal sellers. Let’s protect Wales for future generations—See it? Report it. No Ifs, No Butts.

Report Illegal Sales Anonymously

Why Is a Retail Register Important?

Prevent Youth Addiction

By ensuring all tobacco and vape sellers are licensed, we can prevent illegal products from reaching young people and cut down on youth nicotine addiction.

Tackle Illegal Sales

Illegal tobacco sales fund criminal activities that harm our communities. A retail register helps enforcement teams target rogue sellers, reducing the flow of these dangerous products.

Support Businesses:

Legitimate retailers play an essential role in our communities. A register protects their interests by creating a level playing field and making it clear that illegal operators are not welcome in Wales.

Key Stats

10% of the Tobacco Market in Wales is Illegal

An estimated 88,000 people buy illegal tobacco in Wales each year, undermining efforts to reduce smoking rates.

39% of Illegal Tobacco is Sold from Private Addresses

Illegal sales thrive in unmonitored spaces, often away from the public eye, making a retail register essential for tracking and enforcement.

85% Public Support for a Retail Register

The people of Wales overwhelmingly support a retail register to combat illegal tobacco and safeguard our communities.

How You Can Support

Report Illegal Sales: If you observe any illegal tobacco or vape sales in your community, please report them anonymously through our No Ifs, No Butts campaign. Your reports empower Trading Standards to take action against rogue sellers.

Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about the importance of a tobacco retail register and the need for stricter regulations on vaping products aimed at protecting our youth.

Stay Informed: Follow ASH Wales for ongoing updates on the progress of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and discover new ways to contribute to a smoke-free Wales.