Welsh Government Unveils Smoke-free Wales Roadmap

Historical article · July 2022

This July 2022 article records the launch of the Welsh Government’s long-term tobacco-control strategy. The national ambition remains 5% or less adult smoking prevalence by 2030. Read the official Welsh Government strategy, and use our current statistics hub for the latest Wales figures.

  • Welsh Government launches a new tobacco control strategy, which sets the pathway for a smoke-free Wales (5% or less of the adult population smoking) by 2030.
  • The new Endgame strategy aims to significantly reduce the harms of smoking in Wales.
  • Smoking still kills over 5,000 Welsh adults every year.
  • The ambitious strategy strives to end the tobacco epidemic
  • Smoking is one of the main causes of health inequalities in Wales, with harm concentrated in disadvantaged communities and groups.
Welsh Government has launched an ambitious new tobacco control strategy for Wales, which seeks to secure a smoke-free society, 5% or less of the adult population smoking, by 2030.  The strategy lays out firm actions and polices with the aim of finally ending the tobacco epidemic in Wales.The smoking addiction has gripped the nation for over 100 years, and despite the known risks, still kills 5,600 people in Wales every year. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in the country and is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS £302 million each year.The National Survey for Wales currently places adult smoking prevalence in Wales at 13%. While this figure slowly declines, reaching 5% by 2030 will require a significant upturn in actions and commitment. Modelling by Cancer Research UK in 2020 indicates, if the current pace of actions continue, Wales will not reach a smoke-free future until 2037.Wales’s leading tobacco control action group ASH Wales says the nation is firmly behind the new strategy which provides a solid blueprint for achieving a smoke-free society.  Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, said:‘’Public support for an Endgame target is overwhelming, 73% of Welsh adults want Wales to become smoke-free. Welsh Governments’ commitment to this target is welcome, however, this bold strategy is going to need bold and decisive action to hit that 5% target by 2030.”The publication of the new strategy has been eagerly awaited by other health charities across Wales. Katie Till, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Wales, said:“Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for around 3,100 cancer cases in Wales every year. Achieving a smoke-free Wales by 2030 would save lives. For Wales to hit this target, we need to see ambition in the way we support people to quit and prevent people from starting.“Smoking is also the single biggest driver of inequalities in life expectancy in the UK. It’s critical the plan addresses this, so fewer people are affected by the harms of smoking in the future.”Nearly 140 years have passed since the first UK manufactured cigarettes entered the market. Since then, sales soared in the first half of the twentieth century and brought with it what health organisations coined as the ‘global tobacco epidemic’. This epidemic has waged for decades, and currently claims the lives of 8 million people globally each year.A recent review of tobacco control commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, speculated that if cigarettes were to enter the British market today, they would simply be turned away and would not be legalised.Despite decades of research, lobbying and national stop smoking campaigns, tobacco remains on the UK market, and remains the only legal consumer product that kills up to half its users when used as intended.As the Welsh Government launches its new tobacco control strategy, it embarks on a road which carries the potential to end smoking’s hold on national health. Welsh Government has been bold with this task, which is reflected within its 5% Endgame target.On a global scale, other countries have pledged similar ambitions in achieving a 5% smoking rate: including England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden. Internationally, 5% is often regarded as the benchmark in which the tobacco epidemic is considered unsustainable.

The Strategy

The new strategy will center on limiting smoking’s impact to health, children, finances and the environment. To achieve this the strategy will employ a series of delivery plans, which will focus on the following areas:
  • Smoke-Free environments
  • Continuous improvement and supporting innovation
  • Priority groups
  • Tackle illegal tobacco and the tobacco control legal framework
  • Working across the UK
Each area will hold equal importance and will be reviewed at the end of a two-year delivery period.Smoke-free Environments – Welsh Government has led in this field, in 2021 Wales became the first UK nation to introduce smoke-free hospital grounds, school grounds and playgrounds.  Studies have shown smoke-free legislation reduces exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, as well as having an impact on changing attitudes towards smoking. The new strategy will consider how to expand and support existing smoke-free legislation.Welsh surveys show majority support for smoke-free legislation, particularly around smoke-free spaces that protect children. A recent YouGov survey (2021) of Welsh adults conducted by ASH Cymru revealed:
  • 81% believe smoking should be banned in outdoor areas where children play sport.
  • 67% would support banning smoking in outdoor eating areas, of all restaurants, pubs and cafes.
  • 67% would support a ban on smoking in all cars, up from 63% in 2017.
Within this workstream, the Welsh Government has committed to supporting UK efforts in reducing the environmental harms of smoking. The global health community has been vocal on this front, as figures issued by the World Health Organisation estimate that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, which in turn leach microplastics and toxins into the environment.Continuous improvement and supporting innovation will also be a staple of the new strategy. Within this workstream Welsh Government committed to supporting and developing the national stop smoking service, ‘Help Me Quit’.In Wales, the national stop smoking service provides support around 3% of current smokers every year.  The new strategy marks that despite progress, Wales is still creating a new generation of smokers, as 4% of 11-16 years are still currently smoking in Wales. In light of this, the strategy outlines plans to enhance prevention, cessation and the use of innovation.The strategy also lays out a firm commitment to a systematic opt-out quit smoking programme for all patients admitted to hospital. Under the scheme all in-patients will be offered specialised stop smoking support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This national approach will once again put Wales ahead of other UK nations in the implementation of actions to support smokers to quit.This workstream will also examine how e-cigarettes will fit within the modern health landscape of Wales. Currently, national surveys show e-cigarettes are the most popular stop smoking tools in Wales.The current evidence indicates e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco, and can help people to quit smoking, when combined with behavioral support. Welsh Government has committed to exploring their role as possible tobacco quitting aid.Supporting priority groups will be a key cornerstone of the new strategy. In Wales, higher smoking rates are reported within certain groups, for example adults from socio-economically deprived backgrounds, routine and manual workers, and some ethnic minority groups in Wales. In addition, latest data from SHRN indicates that children from less affluent homes are twice as likely to smoke than their more affluent counterparts.Research has shown that higher rates of smoking increases the likelihood of groups experiencing poorer health outcomes, which in turn impacts life expectancy. Levelling out the health landscape in Wales will involve the strategy ensuring that all groups, regardless background, are given the right support to stop smoking in Wales. This area will address the national health disparities caused by smoking.The new strategy will also enhance efforts to tackle the illegal tobacco market in Wales, which will include a review of tobacco enforcement tools that are used to deter underaged sales.Welsh Government have already taken proactive steps to address the illegal market, as earlier this year it launched a national illegal tobacco campaign. The ‘No If No Butts’ campaign was launched in January, which included the unveiling of a national reporting platform. So far, the campaign has been viewed over 4.9 million times on social media, and has led Welsh enforcement to significant seizures of illegal tobacco.Last year, HMRC and Welsh Trading Standards teams seized an estimated 2.84 million cigarettes and 404kg pouches of hand-rolling tobacco from illegal market in Wales. The new campaign seeks to combat market prevalence, while raising awareness around how illegal sales act as a gateway for children to start smoking.In context to the UK landscape, the new strategy commits to working with other UK Government’s on tobacco control action and policy. This will include regulations on safety warnings and raising the age of sale of tobacco. Currently, Wales does not have the power to independently raise the age of sale of cigarettes.The new strategy and first phase delivery plan has been published in both Welsh and English, and can be found at: www.gov.walesENDSREFERENCES & NOTES
  • The new strategy will be published on the 26th of July 2022 , 09:30.
  • The first manufactured cigarettes in Britain are often attributed to W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1883.
  • The World Health Organisation’s estimate on global annual deaths caused by smoking (8 million), found here.
  • Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in Wales, found here and here.
  • NHS Wales spends an estimated £302 million each year on smoking related disease, stat found here, here and here.
  • Estimates from the Public Health Wales Observatory place annual deaths caused by smoking at 5,000, found here.
  • Review commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, found here.
  • Tobacco is the only legal consumer product that killsup to half its users when used as intended, found here.
  • Welsh Government Endgame target (5%) found here.
  • 5% is understood to be the threshold at which the tobacco epidemic could become unsustainable, found here and here.
  • National Survey for Wales stats stating Welsh adults smoking prevalence at 13%, found here.
  • Modelling conducted by CRUK in 2020, found here.
  • Studies show that smoke-free legislation reduces exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as changing attitudes, found here.
  • ASH Cymru YouGov Survey (2021) found here.
  • World Health Organisation stat marking 4.5 trillion cigarettes are discarded into the environment each year, found here.
  • 3% of Welsh smokers use national stop smoking services each year, figure found here.
  • 4% of 11-16 years are still smoking in Wales stat and reference found here and here.
  • Additional information about the Ottawa model can be found here and here.
  • National Survey for Wales bulletin showing e-cigs are the most commonly used quitting tool in Wales, found here.
  • Evidence reviews assessing relative safety of e-cigs, found here, here and here.
  • Cochrane review on e-cigarettes use within smoking cessation, found here.
  • SHRN survey found here.
  • ASH UK briefing document on smoking and health inequalities within different population groups, found here.
  • ‘No Ifs No Butts’ campaign reach stats issued by Welsh Government, 2022.
  • 2021 illegal tobacco stats released from HMRC to ASH Cymru, found here.

Supplement Paragraphs

Raising the age of sale of tobacco in WalesWithin the new strategy, the Welsh Government will continue to work with UK Governments on a range of non-devolved issues, such as raising the age of sale of tobacco. Currently, Wales cannot independently raise the age of sale, as this area of legislation sits within the remit of UK Government. If the age of sale were raised, the Welsh Government would work closely with the UK administrations on its detail.Last year, the former UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, commissioned an independent review into how England could realise its smoke-free ambition. The review, led by former Barnardo’s CEO Javed Khan OBE, provided four ‘critical’ recommendations which would need to be actioned if England were to ever reach its own smokefree target.One of the ‘critical’ proposals included raising the age of sale of cigarettes, by one year, every year, until a no one would be able to purchase tobacco in the country.When asked if the Welsh Government backed this recommendation, a Welsh Government spokesman said:“We support measures to strengthen the regulatory framework on tobacco and nicotine products, particularly those designed to reduce the number of young people who start smoking.‘We would work closely with the UK government if proposals were developed to increase the smoking age from 18.”Khan’s proposals, released last month, have yet to be agreed by the UK Government. In addition, the Government is yet to issue a comprehensive tobacco control strategy for England, and in turn provide a plan to achieve it’s smoke-free ambition.According to the tobacco control charity ASH Cymru, the review pulled into focus that stagnation from UK Government hinders Wales’ own tobacco control efforts. Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru said:“The Khan review is clear in what England needs to do to realise its own smoke-free target.‘Inaction on this front will not only impact England’s chances to becoming smoke-free, but may impact Wales’ own, as many key tobacco control measures rely on Westminster, such as raising the age of sale.”ASH Cymru has been vocal in its support for raising the age of sale and have highlighted that this measure could significantly reduce smoking rates in Wales.The charity points to US evidence which found that raising the age of sale from 18 to 21 in certain states reduced smoking rates in that age bracket by 30%. It is widely accepted that smoking is an addiction which is often starts in childhood or early youth. A survey conducted in 2020 by ASH Cymru showed that the vast majority of smokers in Wales started smoking before the age of 18 (81%). ASH Cymru believes that raising the age of sale of cigarettes would help limit access to youth, and in turn help limit the chances of lifelong addiction.References & Notes
  • Review commissioned by the UK’s former Health Secretary, Savid Javid, found here.
  • US evidence marking smoking reduced rates, found here and here.
  • ASH Cymru YouGov Survey 2020, found here.

World No Tobacco Day 2022

  • World No Tobacco Day is a global campaign from the World Health Organisation, which takes place on the 31st of May each year.
  • This year the campaign is focused on tobacco’s effects on the environment.
  • Organisations across Wales have voiced support for the campaign and have helped to raise awareness.

Organisations across Wales are showing support for World No Tobacco Day, an annual campaign which raises awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco. The campaign was created by the World Health Organisation in response to the global tobacco epidemic, which claims over 8 million lives each year.

This year’s campaign is focused on the environment, and how tobacco’s use, manufacture and waste harms the planet. This year’s theme will emphasise how the lifecycle of cigarettes can impact forests, farming and ecosystems across the globe.

On a global scale, it is estimated that 1.5 billion hectares of forest have been lost since the 1970s due to tobacco production. It is also estimated that each year, 200,000 hectares of land is cleared for tobacco growing and curing, which in turn affects the wildlife that call the planet’s tropical forests and grasslands home. Both statistics were published within WHO’s official campaign materials, which have been circulated to help change global perceptions on smoking.

In addition to harming landmass, the campaign draws into focus how cigarettes can harm the planet’s oceans. This year’s campaign highlights research by the Environmental Protection Agency, which found that a single cigarette butt left in a litre of water for 96 hours contains enough toxins to kill half of the fish that are exposed to it. The study highlights that even after use, cigarettes can damage aquatic life and fragile ecosystems. For context, it is estimated that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded globally each year, which often find their way into the planet’s seas.

Beyond cigarette waste, the production of tobacco presents a pressing strain on global resources. For example, fertile land that could be used to grow crops is often used to grow tobacco across the globe, which in turn can deplete nutrients from farmed soil. According to WHO, the soil depletion caused by global tobacco growing can be seen to contribute to food insecurity and nutrition challenges within the twenty-first century.

In addition to environmental harms, tobacco continues to harm global health. According to WHO, tobacco will sadly take the lives of half of those who smoke, globally. In addition, the organisation estimates that 1.2 million annual global deaths will be caused as a consequence of second-hand smoke.

Smoking remains the largest cause of avoidable and premature death in Wales. In 2018 alone, around 5,600 deaths in people aged 35 and over, and 28,000 hospital admissions were attributable to smoking in Wales. In addition to health harms, smoking is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS approximately 302 million each year.

In light of the global and local harms, Wales’ leading tobacco organisation ASH Cymru have doubled-up efforts to voice the effects of tobacco this year. In addition to supporting World No Tobacco Day, the organisation spearheads national awareness campaigns through the year. One such campaign is Smoke-Free Beaches, which seeks to highlight the harms of cigarette butts on the Welsh coastline.

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Cymru, spoke about the importance of voicing the environmental effects of smoking. She said: “This year’s World No Tobacco Day, alongside our own campaigns, draws into focus that smoking not only impacts our health, but also impacts our surroundings.

‘Many people reading today’s campaign may think that smoking doesn’t affect Wales on a local level. But through our work on Welsh Beaches, we know cigarette butt litter remains a big problem on our shores, which in turn impacts the wildlife that call our coastline home”.

Last year, the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Beach Clean survey found that Welsh beaches held the highest amount of littered cigarette butts in Great Britain. The survey recorded 64 cigarette butts for every 100m of Welsh coastline, equating to around one cigarette for every 1.5 metres. The survey results have prompted environmental organisations across Wales to increase awareness of the harms of cigarette waste.

Dr. Laura Foster, Head of Clean Seas at the Marine Conservation Society, marked the benefits of today’s campaign. She said: “Today is a fantastic opportunity for organisations across Wales to raise awareness on the environmental harms of cigarettes.

‘Across the UK, our volunteers record huge volumes of cigarette butts on beaches year in, year out. Beyond the visible pollution problem cigarettes pose, they also leach harmful chemicals and microplastics into our seas as they break down. Today’s campaign highlights these harms, and the many more, that cigarettes pose to our environment”.

John Griffiths, Senedd member and chair of the Cross-Party Group on Smoking and Health, added words of support for smokers in this year’s campaign. He said: “As an ex- smoker, I know the difficulty many people face when trying to quit.

‘Quit attempts are often steered by a decision to improve physical health, personal finances or overall wellbeing. Today’s campaign adds the environment to the already long list of good reasons to seek support.

‘NHS Wales offers a brilliant smoking cessation service, which is free and accessible to all. My message to smokers is to keep trying to stop, as the health, financial and environmental benefits of quitting are far reaching”.

If you would like to access support to quit smoking, the free NHS Wales smoking cessation service can be accessed via: www.helpmequit.wales

 

References

  • Tobacco epidemic claims 8 million lives each year stat, found here.
  • WHO official WNTD22 environment campaign page, found here.
  • 1.5 billion hectares of forests cleared for tobacco production stat, found here.
  • 200,000 hectares of land is cleared annually for tobacco production, found here, here and here.
  • WHO reference to the EPA study on cigarette waste’s effect on fish, here.
  • San Diego State University study examining cigarette butts effects on fish, found here.
  • 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts global stats can be found here, here and here.
  • WHO resources outlining tobacco’s effects on soil, farming and food supplies, found here.
  • Research outlining tobacco’s effects on soil resources, here.
  • WHO estimate that tobacco kills half of its users globally, found here.
  • 1.2 million annual global deaths will be caused by second-hand smoke stat, found here and here.
  • Smoking remains the largest cause of avoidable and premature death in Wales, found here.
  • Chief Medical Officer for Wales highting 2018 smoking related death figures (5,600 deaths), found here.
  • Latest figures marking that smoking costs NHS Wales £302 million annually, found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette waste toxicity to animals, aquatic life and the environment found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt and microplastic pollution research can be found here.
  • Marine Conservation Society 2021 Survey results found here and here.

Local School Children Launch Smoke-Free Beach

  • Knelston Primary School has joined a beach clean to celebrate Port Eynon becoming Smoke-free.
  • Port Eynon becomes Swansea’s third beach to join the Smoke-free Beaches campaign.
  • The campaign encourages beach visitors to not smoke via a voluntary no-smoking initiative.
  • The initiative’s drive is to protect the local environment from the harms of cigarette waste.

 Local school children from Knelston Primary have joined a beach clean to celebrate Port Eynon joining a Smoke-free campaign. The campaign encourages visitors to not smoke on the beach via a voluntary smoke-free initiative, which seeks to reduce cigarette litter and protect the environment.

The campaign was launched by ASH Cymru, a health organisation that raises awareness around the harms of tobacco in Wales. Port Eynon is Swansea’s third beach to join the voluntary initiative, which will be sign-posted at the beach’s main entrances.

The campaign has been welcomed by local school children, who have joined ASH Cymru and Swansea Council in a beach clean. The clean has been organised to raise awareness of the environmental harms of cigarettes litter, in a bid to protect the coastline for future generations to come.

Cigarette butts remain a big problem in Wales, with the latest Marine Conservation Society survey revealing that Welsh beaches held the highest amount of cigarette butt litter in Great Britain. The survey found an average of 64.2 cigarette butts per 100 metres of Welsh beach in 2021, a stark rise from 9.5 in 2020, and 32.6 in 2019.

On a global scale 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, making cigarette butts one of the most littered items on earth. Cigarette butts take up to 12 years to breakdown and as they do they leach nicotine and heavy metals before turning into microplastic pollution. In addition, studies examining the toxicity of cigarette butts have found them to contain approximately 4000 harmful chemicals, which can ultimately seep into the environment. Research has shown that one cigarette butt left to soak in water for 96 hours will release enough toxins to kill half of the salt and freshwater fish that are exposed to it.

In addition to environmental benefits, research has shown that smoke-free spaces can reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, and can have a positive influence on social norms. In light of this, ASH Cymru believe that the new smoke-free initiative will create an environment that is safer and ultimately cleaner for visitors.

ASH Cymru’s CEO Suzanne Cass commended the local school’s involvement, marking how children can help shape a greener society. She said: “ We are delighted that local children recognise the importance of protecting the environment, which in turn will aid wider efforts to create a healthier and greener Wales.

‘It is ultimately our children who will reap the benefits of today’s initiative. Our efforts now can hold a big impact for their future”.

Knelston Primary School pose with their litter pickers on Port Eynon Beach

Mr Philip Jenkins, Headteacher of Knelston Primary, highlighted the importance of educating children about the harms of cigarettes. He said: “ It is important that we voice that cigarettes can not only harm our health, but can also harm our natural surroundings.

‘Our children will go on to be the next custodians of Wales, and we must educate them for this responsibility. It is up to us to ensure that our children become ethically informed citizens of not only Wales, but also the world”.

To date, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Little Haven in Pembrokeshire have joined the ASH Cymru Smoke-free Beach campaign. It is thought that the addition of Port Eynon, one of the Gower peninsula’s most popular sites, will encourage other beach authorities to take similar green steps.

A spokesperson from Swansea Council said: “ The Council fully supports initiatives to protect the coastline for future generations to come.

‘We hope the voluntary initiative will encourage visitors to take the small steps needed to make a big difference in protecting our local environment’’.

On a national scale, the Welsh Government has recently committed to reducing the environmental impact of smoking. The commitment was recently relayed in the new Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales, which aims to create a healthier smoke-free nation by 2030. Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, is overseeing the new strategy, and praised the roll-out of the new Smoke-free initiative. She said: “It is great to see so many young people involved in today’s beach clean, and in turn support the new initiative.

‘As I’ve highlighted in the foreword to the new Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales, we must all come together to help limit the harmful effects of smoking. Initiatives such as this bring us one step closer to becoming a healthier and more environmentally conscious nation’’.

Visit our Smokefree Beaches Campaign page for more information.

References & Notes

  • The launch and beach clean was held at Port Eynon on Wednesday 27th April 2022.
  • 5 trillion discarded cigarette butts stats can be found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butts take 12 years to break-down stat found here, here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt and microplastic pollution research can be found here.
  • Study examining cigarette butts effects on salt and fresh water fish found here.
  • Cigarette waste toxicity to animals, aquatic life and the environment found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt toxicity, 4000 chemical literature and stats can be found here, here and here.
  • Marine Conservation Society 2021 Survey results found here and here.
  • Studies showing smoke-free spaces reduce SHS and influence social norms, found here and here.

Port Eynon Beach joins Smoke-free Campaign

  • Port Eynon becomes Swansea’s third beach to join the Smoke-free Beaches campaign.
  • The campaign encourages visitors to not smoke via a voluntary no-smoking initiative.
  • The drive is to protect local wildlife and the environment from the harms of cigarette waste.
  • The latest annual survey from the Marine Conservation Society found that Welsh beaches held the highest amount of cigarette litter in Great Britain in 2021.

Port Eynon has become the third beach in Swansea to join the Smoke-free Beaches campaign, an initiative which seeks to limit the harms of cigarette waste on local wildlife and the environment.

As from April this year, visitors to the beach will be encouraged to not smoke via a voluntary no-smoking initiative, which will be signposted at the beach’s main entry points. The voluntary change will seek to reduce cigarette litter, in a bid to protect the coastline for future generations to come.

On a global scale 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, making cigarette butts one of the most littered items on earth. Cigarette butts take up to 12 years to breakdown and as they do they leach nicotine and heavy metals before turning into microplastic pollution. In addition, studies examining the toxicity of cigarette butts have found them to contain approximately 4000 harmful chemicals, which can ultimately seep into the environment. Research has shown that one cigarette butt left to soak in water for 96 hours will release enough toxins to kill half of the salt and freshwater fish that are exposed to it.

Cigarette butts remain a big problem in Wales, with the latest Marine Conservation Society survey revealing that Welsh beaches held the highest amount of cigarette butt litter in Great Britain. The survey found an average of 64.2 cigarette butts per 100 metres of Welsh beach in 2021, a stark rise from 9.5 in 2020 ,and  32.6 in 2019.

The new Smoke-free initiative has been spearheaded by tobacco control organisation ASH Wales, a charity which raises awareness on the harms of tobacco in Wales. The charity has worked closely with Swansea Council, who have shown support for the green initiative.

ASH Wales CEO Suzanne Cass has praised the Council for its proactive approach to the environment. She said: ‘’We are delighted that Swansea Council have taken proactive steps in protecting the coastline, which will aid wider efforts to create a greener and more sustainable Wales.

‘The smoke-free initiative will encourage visitors to think about how cigarette waste can affect the environment, and the wildlife that call the coastline home. I would encourage other councils across Wales to consider how they too can make a difference’’.

Beyond environmental benefits, research has shown that smoke-free spaces can reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, and can have a positive influence on social norms. In light of this, ASH Wales believe that the smoke-free initiative will create an environment that is safer and ultimately cleaner for visitors.

Last year, ASH Wales conducted a survey to measure local public opinion on the smoke-free initiative. The survey revealed that 92% of participants were supportive of Port Eynon becoming Smoke-free, when told of the environmental benefits this would hold. In addition, 96% of all the survey’s respondents agreed that cigarette waste negatively impacts sea life and the environment.

Anne Ellsmore, owner of the local business The Seafarer, praised the move and said: “Any initiative to limit the amount of cigarette litter our beach is a good thing, and will make it a nicer place to visit for tourists and locals alike’’.

To date, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Little Haven in Pembrokeshire have joined ASH Wales’ Smoke-free Beach campaign. It is thought that the addition of Port Eynon, one of the Gower peninsula’s most popular sites, will encourage other beach authorities to take similar green steps.

A spokesperson from Swansea Council said: “ The Council fully supports initiatives to protect the coastline for residents, visitors and for future generations to come.

‘We hope the voluntary initiative will encourage visitors to take the small steps needed to make a big difference in protecting our environment’’.

On a national scale, the Welsh Government has recently committed to reducing the environmental impact of smoking. The commitment was recently relayed in the new Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales, which aims to create a healthier smoke-free nation by 2030. Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, is overseeing the new strategy, and marked the importance of limiting the harmful effects smoking. She said: ‘It is vital that we recognise that smoking not only impacts our health, but can also impact our surroundings.

‘I fully endorse any body of work which highlights the environmental harms of cigarettes, and takes steps to limit these harms’’.

References

  • 5 trillion discarded cigarette butts stats can be found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butts take 12 years to break-down stat found here, here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt and microplastic pollution research can be found here.
  • Study examining cigarette butts effects on salt and fresh water fish found here.
  • Cigarette waste toxicity to animals, aquatic life and the environment found here, here and here.
  • Cigarette butt toxicity, 4000 chemical literature and stats can be found here, here and here.
  • Marine Conservation Society 2021 Survey results found here and here.
  • Studies showing smoke-free spaces reduce SHS and influence social norms, found here and here.

Forces Unite to Tackle Illegal Tobacco in Wales

  • In a pan-Wales first, Police forces across the nation have joined to help tackle the illegal tobacco market.
  • Training has been launched to deliver guidance on how to address the illegal market, and in turn protect communities and public health.  The training is being rolled out to police forces across the nation.
  • Last year, 2.8 million illegal cigarettes and nearly half a ton of illegal hand-rolling tobacco was seized off the illegal market in Wales.

Police forces throughout Wales have joined together in multi-agency drive to help tackle the illegal tobacco market. The initiative has been spearheaded by the Welsh Government, who have advocated a whole-system approach to disrupting illegal tobacco in Wales.

Illegal tobacco is a serious problem in communities across Wales, as it gives children access to cheap tobacco and brings crime into our communities.

In 2021, over 3 million illegal cigarettes were confiscated in Wales. This haul consisted of 2.8 million illegal cigarettes and nearly half a ton of illegal rolling tobacco. The combined street value of both have been estimated to sit in the region of ¾ million pounds.

In a Wales first, the Welsh Government have launched training for all police forces across Wales. The training is being led by Welsh Trading Standards, who with the support of HMRC, are at the forefront of action to disrupt the illegal tobacco market.  The aim is to unite agencies, establish a new Wales-wide reporting system, and encourage a streamlined approach to tackling illegal tobacco.

The move has been hailed as progressive by the tobacco control organisation ASH Cymru, who have campaigned for strengthened approach to illicit sales in Wales. Suzanne CEO of ASH Cymru said:

“This united approach from Wales is exactly what we need to drive illegal sales out of our communities and keep our young people safe from the harms of tobacco. It will reinforce the solid work already carried out by HMRC and Trading Standards teams and provide a robust reporting system in Wales.

“We know illegal tobacco harms health, communities and is a gateway for children to start smoking. The impact of this new multi-agency approach will be far reaching and will enable Wales to disrupt the market from all angles, and in turn protect public health.”

In 2014, ASH Cymru commissioned the very first survey to assess the scale of the illegal market in Wales. The survey revealed:

  • Illegal tobacco makes up 15% of the entire tobacco market in Wales.
  • 1 in 4 Welsh smokers were classified as ‘illicit buyers’.
  • Almost half (45%) of current Welsh smokers had been offered the sale of illegal tobacco, with 14% of smokers “often” being approached by illegal sellers.

In addition to high prevalence in Wales, the illegal market has been reported to feed into other areas of crime, with some reports outlining links with gangs, drugs and human- trafficking. In 2015, A report published by HMRC outlined that the illegal market also harms legitimate business, and costs the UK taxpayer over £2 billion in lost revenues each year.

Roger Mapleson, Lead Officer for Trading Standards Wales on Tobacco, highlights how the new police training can impact Wales. He said: “Police officers regularly encounter stocks of illegal tobacco as a by-product of action taken against other criminality.

“This training will give officers the knowledge to recognise it and the confidence to know how to deal with it. It is really important to capitalise on every opportunity to disrupt the supply and not miss opportunities.”

As part of the Welsh Government’s strengthened approach to illegal tobacco, a new reporting website has been launched, which will be the new centralised reporting system in Wales. Reports of illegal sellers can be made anonymously, which can be submitted by the public and the police. Reports will be fed back to relevant local authorities in Wales.

The reporting website highlights how to identify illegal tobacco, and what to look out for. This includes:

  • ‘Cheap whites’, which are mass produced in one country and smuggled into another.
  • Cheap genuine tobacco smuggled into the UK with no-duty paid (packages often display foreign languages and a lack of health warnings).
  • Cigarettes sold individually instead of in packets.
  • Counterfeits or fakes, which look like well-known brands but are made illegally.

John Griffiths MS, Chair of the Cross Party Group on Smoking and Health, echoed support for the Welsh Government’s new approach to the illegal tobacco. He said: “The police training and the new reporting system will allow Wales to tackle the illegal landscape from new avenues, which will help support the already strong disruption activity in Wales.

“To help these efforts, I would urge people across Wales to report illegal tobacco via the new reporting website. This would ensure that the illegal market is kept firmly out of our communities.”

To anonymously report illegal tobacco in your area, the reporting website can be found at: www.noifs-nobutts.co.uk

 

References

  • Latest Trading Standards and HMRC disruption figures can be found here.
  • First pan-Wales illegal tobacco survey conducted by ASH Wales and NEMS (2014), can be found here.
  • For further reading (definition of illegal tobacco and its effects on Wales), please see here.
  • Links to how illegal tobacco feeds into other areas of crime, can be found here, here and here.
  • HMRC Report, ‘Tackling illicit tobacco: From leaf to light’ can be found here.
  • The new illegal tobacco reporting website can be found here.
  • Case studies relaying the human impact of the illegal market can be found here