From 1 October 2026, a new UK Vaping Products Duty begins and duty stamps start appearing on retail vape packaging. Here’s what the change means in Wales — and what it does not tell you about a product.
Information / Second-hand smoke
Second-hand smoke: what actually protects people?
There is no safe level of second-hand tobacco smoke. The most effective protection is a completely smoke-free environment.
What do we know in Wales? Current national evidence is strong on the health risks and on smoke-free law, but there is no robust current national estimate of second-hand smoke exposure in Welsh homes or among Welsh children. Older exposure figures should not be treated as current. Our 2026 social-housing report provides new subgroup survey evidence about smoking inside the home, but it should not be treated as a national estimate of second-hand-smoke exposure.
Last reviewed: 27th September 2026
QUICK ANSWER
A window is not a smoke-free space.
Opening windows, smoking by a door or using a different room does not stop smoke spreading through a home. Smoke can remain in the air for hours.
What is second-hand smoke?
Second-hand smoke is the smoke breathed out by someone smoking plus smoke released from the lit end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
Much of it is invisible and odourless. That is why a room can look clear while other people are still breathing in harmful chemicals.
What about vaping around other people?
Vaping does not create tobacco smoke, so the risks of passive smoking do not apply in the same way. Evidence on bystander exposure is still developing.
As a precaution, it is sensible not to vape around babies and children where possible.
Who is especially vulnerable?
Children
Children’s lungs, airways and immune systems are still developing. Exposure is linked with asthma, chest infections, ear infections and other illness.
Pregnancy & babies
Exposure during pregnancy is linked with premature birth, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. A smoke-free home matters before and after birth.
Adults
Regular exposure increases the risk of serious disease, including lung cancer and heart disease.
Where is smoking prohibited in Wales?
Smoking is prohibited in enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces in Wales.
Smoke-free requirements also cover hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds and outdoor day-care and child-minding settings. Smoking in a private vehicle carrying someone under 18 is also against the law.
What about my own home?
The most useful rule at home is simpler than the law: no smoking indoors or in the car.
If stopping smoking is not the next step yet, smoking fully outside is much more protective than trying to ventilate smoke from inside.
If smoke is entering your home from another flat, shared area or neighbouring property, see our practical guide to smoke coming into the home from somewhere else.
NEW RESEARCH • 2026
New evidence on smoking inside social-housing homes
In ASH Wales’ 2026 social-housing report, 23% of social-housing respondents said someone smoked in the home most days. Among households with children under 18, 9% reported someone smoking in the home most days.
These are published survey findings from the social-housing subgroup and do not estimate second-hand-smoke exposure for every child or household in Wales.
Want to protect people around you and stop smoking?
Help Me Quit offers free NHS stop-smoking support across Wales. You can start even if you have tried before or are not completely sure what quit aid you want.