ASH Wales has welcomed the overwhelming cross-party support given by Assembly Members today to protect children from accessing tobacco products from vending machines in Wales.

The Protection from Tobacco (Sales from Vending Machines) (Wales) Regulations 2011 were debated in Cardiff Bay this afternoon. The Regulations, which are due to come into force on 1st February 2012, will ban the sale of tobacco from vending machines throughout Wales.

ASH Wales Acting Chief Executive Carole Morgan-Jones said:

“We are delighted that the motion was passed today. One in 5 young smokers tell us they can purchase cigarettes from unsupervised vending machines. These regulations will protect children from having easy and illegal access to cigarettes.

“It’s an important public health measure to safeguard future generations and an integral part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the harm that tobacco causes to Welsh communities. ASH Wales, along with members of the Wales Tobacco Control Alliance, look forward to the Welsh Government’s Tobacco Delivery Plan later this year.”