PRODUCT WATCH ROUNDUP We’ve added new information to ASH Wales Product Watch about nicotine products that may be less familiar. Pouchless nicotine pods have a UK-facing retail listing: these small oral portions have no outer pouch and are not designed to melt. We’ve also added international examples of ultra-thin and semi-gel nicotine pouches, and updated our page on gels, creams, sprays and nasal inhalers. UK or Welsh availability has not been established for those international examples. These updates explain what the products are, what is verified and what remains uncertain. They do not establish how widely any product is used in Wales.
Plain Packaging
Past campaign · policy change achieved
ASH Wales campaigned for standardised tobacco packaging to reduce the promotional role of cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco packs.
Standardised packaging became UK law in 2016 and was fully reflected in products on sale after the sell-through period ended in May 2017.
What changed?
From 20th May 2016, cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco manufactured for the UK market had to comply with standardised packaging requirements. Older compliant stock manufactured before that date could continue to be sold during a transition period.
From 21st May 2017, the transitional sell-through exemption had ended, so products supplied on the market had to meet the standardised packaging rules.
The campaign
ASH Wales supported standardised packaging through campaigning, consultation work and engagement with young people. The aim was to reduce the ability of pack colours, logos and design to act as tobacco marketing and to make health warnings more prominent.
Where things stand now
Standardised packaging requirements remain part of the tobacco packaging rules in Great Britain. Cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco packs must follow prescribed appearance and labelling requirements rather than using conventional branded pack design.
Explore current ASH Wales work
This page records an earlier campaign. See our current campaigns and policy work for the issues ASH Wales is focusing on now.