Smoking related deaths and hospital admissions – Public Health Wales Report

The latest report from Public Health Wales tells us that smoking is still a major cause of death and ill health in Wales, with 3,845 deaths per year among those over 35.

Smoking related deaths are also three times higher in the most deprived areas, compared to the least deprived areas in Wales.

Between 2020 and 2022, there were over 17,000 hospital admissions that were attributable to smoking – 3.4% of all admissions.

With Welsh Government aiming for a Smoke-Free Wales by 2030, these latest stats raise the question of what more can be done to achieve this goal, as discussed in this ITV Wales News report.

Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive ASH Wales, said:

“These latest statistics serve as an urgent and hard-hitting reminder of the catastrophic toll smoking continues to have on thousands of families across Wales every single year.

“With a shocking one in ten deaths over the age of 35 directly linked to smoking, it is indisputable that immediate and bold action is needed to help smokers quit for good.

“Any strategy aimed at addressing health inequalities in Wales that fails to prioritise smoking cessation is neglecting the very people who need the most support.

“The data makes it clear: we cannot afford complacency.

“This new analysis shows the pressing need to ramp up our efforts to create a Smokefree Wales and make support for smokers a priority for our political leaders.”

Vaping: What You Need to Know

If you’re a smoker thinking about quitting, vaping might be the stepping stone you need. It’s not about picking up a new habit-it’s about leaving cigarettes behind for good. Vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking and can make the transition to a smoke-free life that bit easier.

However, if you don’t smoke, don’t vape. Vaping isn’t risk-free and should never be seen as a recreational activity, especially by children or young people.

New Wales evidence: in the ASH Wales/YouGov 2026 survey, 39% of adults who vape said their main reason was to stop smoking, cut down or stay off tobacco. Among adults aware of vapes, 54% believed vaping was as harmful as or more harmful than smoking cigarettes. Read the full 2026 survey.

Why Choose Vaping to Quit?

You’re not alone. Quitting smoking can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Vaping has become one of the most popular ways to quit in Wales, and with good reason-it works for many people.

Here’s why:

It is substantially less harmful than smoking: Vaping avoids burning tobacco, so it does not produce the tar and carbon monoxide created by cigarettes. Public Health Wales states that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, though it is not risk-free.

It can double your chances of quitting: According to the NHS, people who use vapes as part of their quit journey are roughly twice as likely to succeed compared to those using nicotine patches or gum alone. Vaping satisfies cravings while helping you steer clear of harmful tobacco.

It feels familiar: For many smokers, the hand-to-mouth action and inhaling of vapour closely mimic the experience of smoking, making it easier to transition away from cigarettes.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping involves using a small battery-powered device filled with e-liquid. When heated, this liquid turns into a vapour that you inhale.

Most e-liquids contain nicotine to help manage cravings, alongside ingredients like:

  • Propylene glycol and glycerine: Commonly used in food products.
  • Flavourings: From fruity to minty, there’s something for everyone.

The key difference? Unlike cigarettes, vapes don’t burn tobacco, which means no tar, no carbon monoxide, and fewer harmful toxins.

How To Vape Responsibility?

Finding the right vape can take a little time, but there’s a product out there to suit everyone. Whether you prefer a simple device or something customisable, start by visiting a trusted vape shop.

Avoid Illegal Vapes: Illegal vapes can contain unregulated levels of nicotine or harmful chemicals, posing serious risks to your health. Always buy your vape from reputable retailers, and look for brands that meet UK safety standards. If you’re unsure, ask the shop for guidance.

Get the Right Device for You: The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) has a handy tool to help you locate a reputable shop near you. These shops can guide you in finding the right device and e-liquid strength to match your smoking habits.

Understand Your Needs: Switching from cigarettes can take some trial and error. Don’t be discouraged if the first device or e-liquid you try isn’t quite right-keep experimenting until you find a setup that works for you.

Vaping Is Not for Children or Non-Smokers

Vaping is strictly for adult smokers looking to quit. We’ve all seen headlines about young people vaping, and it’s a real concern. For those who don’t already smoke, vaping can introduce unnecessary risks and should be avoided entirely.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or concerned adult, you can help by starting conversations about why vaping isn’t for non-smokers and by ensuring children understand the risks.

Looking for Support?

Vaping is just one tool in your quitting journey. You’ll have the best chance of success by combining it with expert support. NHS Wales’ Help Me Quit offers free advice, group sessions, and one-to-one support tailored to your needs.

💻 Visit Help Me Quit
📞 Call: 0800 085 2219
📲 Text: HMQ to 80818

A New Chapter Awaits

Quitting smoking can transform your health, save you money, and give you back control of your life. Vaping is just one way to make that happen. Wherever you are in your journey, take it one step at a time-you’ll never regret choosing a smoke-free future.

ASH Wales Youth Vaping Survey – May 2024

Historical ASH Wales research · 2024

This page reports findings published in May 2024 from ASH Wales’ own youth survey. For the latest national Years 7–11 picture, see 2025 youth smoking and vaping data for Wales and our young people evidence hub.

ASH Wales’ new youth survey, the largest of its kind in the UK, reveals over half (55%) of all children who vape are using untested products that are highly likely to be illegal.

The survey of 12,524 secondary school children across Wales shows 9 out of 10 (92%) of teenage vapers are using highly addictive nicotine products with nearly half (45%) of all children who vape saying they can’t go the whole school day without vaping.

More than 4 out of 10 (42%) of all students year 7 to 11 say vapes are easy to get hold and over half of pupils (57%) said vaping was common among their year group.

The survey comes as a motion calling on Welsh Government to implement a Tobacco and Nicotine Retail Register for Wales is debated in the Senedd (15 May). The law paving the way for a retail register was passed in the Public Health Wales Act of 2017 but never implemented.

The register would require anyone in Wales wishing to sell vaping or tobacco products to pay a fee and submit their details.

ASH Wales Chief Executive, Suzanne Cass, said: “Wales needs urgent action to crackdown on illegal traders, support community action and educate our young people. It is totally unacceptable that we have so many untested, highly addictive, illegal products being sold to so many children.

“Not only does this survey shed light on scale of the illegal market but it also reveals the substantial number of young vapers who are struggling with nicotine dependency.

“When we look to solutions to curb youth vaping, we need ensure we have the support in place to help young people who may be addicted to nicotine.”

More than a third (37%) of current youth vapers also reported being current smokers and 26% who currently vape said that they would like to quit.

The survey was conducted between 20th September to December 20th, 2023, and explored perceptions, exposure, usage, product acquisition, influences and feelings around dependency and withdrawal.

Key stats  

Prevalence

  • Nearly a quarter (24%) of all children year 7 to 11 reported to have ever vaped, rising to 44% of year 12 and 13s.
  • 7% of children year 7 to 11 were current vapers, rising to 13% of year 12 and 13.
  • 3% of children year 7 to 11 reported as being current smokers.
  • 37% of current vapers year 7 to 11 also report being current smokers.
  • 22% of current vapers year 7 to 11 reported to be never smokers
  • Current vaping was significantly higher among females than males across all year groups rising to 17% of females in year 13 compared to 10% of males.

 

Environment

  • Vaping was disproportionately viewed as common with over half of pupils citing vaping as common (57%).
  • Students who currently vape were twice as likely to live with a smoker or a vaper than students who had never vaped (66% vs 32%).

 

Product

  • The vast majority of current vapers use a vape that contains nicotine (92%).
  • Nearly a half (45%) of all current vapers say they cannot go the whole school day without vaping.
  • More than a quarter (26%) of all current vapers said they would like to stop vaping.
  • More than half of all students who currently vape reported to be using vapes which are highly likely to be illegal and contain over 600 puffs (55%).

 

Access

  • Ease of access to products increases through the year groups with the majority (62%) of 15/16-year-olds reporting it easy or very easy to get hold of a vape.
  • Nearly half (47%) of all current vapers report having received their first vape from a friend.
  • Informal sources (friends, family and someone they know) account for 36% of all reported purchases of vapes by current vapers, with retailers accounting for 26% of reported purchases.

 

Read the full survey report here:

English
Cymraeg

ASH Wales YouGov Survey 2024

ASH WALES / YOUGOV ANNUAL SURVEY 2024: INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MORE ACTION ON CIGARETTES AND VAPES

Public support in Wales for more action on tobacco and nicotine control is growing, with 52% of those questioned saying governments are not doing enough up from 39% in 2018. This includes almost a quarter (24%) of smokers.

Nearly 8 out 10 (79%) of adults surveyed in Wales say they support a smokefree generation; with 67% supporting legislation to raise the age of sale for tobacco products by one year every year, for those born after January 1st, 2009.

Smoking rates in Wales remain the same as 2023 at 13%, while adult vaping prevalence is at an all-time high at 11% – compared to 8% in the 2023 survey.

Smoking continues to drive health inequalities in Wales. Those living in the lowest social grades are nearly twice as likely to smoke as those in the highest. In 2024, 30% of respondents who live in social housing said they were current smokers, compared to 9% of homeowners.

A growing need for accessible and timely smoking and nicotine cessation services is evident in the 2024 survey; with 54% of  current smokers and 47% of current vapers saying they would like to quit.

Worryingly, there is a sizeable proportion of adults in Wales who believe that vapes are just as harmful, or more harmful, than tobacco cigarettes. The percentage who feel this has grown from 25% in 2017, to 46% in 2024 – including 43% of smokers.

Chief Executive ASH Cymru, Suzanne Cass, said: “Policies to protect children and young people from the devasting harms of smoking are popular and well received and yet more than half of all adults surveyed say our governments are still not doing enough. There is a clear need for more to be done to protect our future generations from a lifelong addiction to nicotine.

“These results also highlight growing misconceptions around the relative harms of vaping products compared to tobacco. We need to ensure that the 330,000 smokers in Wales are not put off from using a vape to quit smoking due to mistaken fears that these products are as harmful as tobacco.”

Eight in 10 (80%) want to see a ban on the sale and import of disposable vapes, including 47% of current vapers. Welsh Government announced an ambition to achieve a ban, along with the other UK nations, in April 2025.

82% of those surveyed said they support a ban on using names of sweets, cartoons and bright colours in vapes, compared to 76% in 2023.

Support for smoke-free spaces in Wales remains very strong, with eight in 10 (80%) saying they would support banning smoking in public transport waiting areas.

There is also steadily growing support for help for pregnant smokers in Wales to quit. NICE guidance for the NHS recommends financial incentives, like shopping vouchers, to encourage pregnant women to stop smoking. 53% of Welsh adults surveyed support this policy, compared to 46% in 2022.

This page reports our 2024 survey and is kept as an archive. For the latest findings, read the ASH Wales Annual Adult Population Survey 2026. The 2024 report remains available below:

Download Report

Spring ’24 News Summary

A look at what we’ve been doing since January this year. Surveys, Training Workshop, Campaigns, and more…

Vaping Survey Results

ASH Wales have recently conducted a Vaping Survey throughout secondary schools in Wales

In a first-of-its-kind survey, ASH Wales have asked young people in secondary schools nationwide about their perceptions and experiences on vaping.

The anonymous data will provide a foundation of information to answer questions such as what demographics are vaping, how many young people are using the devices, what products they’re using, how they’re accessing these products, and ultimately how we can take action to protect them from these products.

First insight into the results will be discussed in our webinar on Thursday 25th April at 6pm. The webinar also covers the latest news on what is being done in Wales to tackle the issue of underage vaping, and where parents and carers can seek help.

A full press release on the results will be released in May 2024.

Wales Tobacco or Health Network

Please join us for our in-person Wales Tobacco or Health Network 2024 event where we will explore the growing availability of new nicotine and tobacco products being marketed to a new generation of nicotine dependants.

This event will grow our knowledge and support our understanding of these novel products; finding out exactly what they are, where they are, who is using them and what impact they’re having.

Important for anyone working with children and young people, from teachers and lecturers to youth workers and community leaders, we will hear the experiences of other European countries on how novel products infiltrated their markets and what has been done to control their use.

Workshops & Training

ASH Wales are delivering educational packages to schools on vaping and smoking. Our Project Delivery Leader can provide school staff with training or deliver an educational workshop to students.

Further to this, our website is currently being updated with a training section, due to be launched in May. We are also developing a brand new session around Cannabis Co-Use and Cannabis Vaporisers.

Tobacco & Vapes Bill

The Bill aims to raise the age of sale for tobacco products by one year every year, starting with those born after 1st January 2009. It also aims to tackle youth vaping by making nicotine products less attractive and available to children and young people.

An encouraging 65% of Welsh MPs voted in favour of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill during the second reading in Westminster on 16th April.

ASH Wales has led from the front on the consultation, communication and engagement with Welsh MPs on the Bill, co-ordinating briefings and letters to politicians from the Wales Tobacco Control Alliance. The Bill now moves to committee stages and will be discussed in UK Parliament again on 30 April.

Retail Register

At a Cross Party Group meeting on Tuesday 27th February 2024, chaired by John Griffiths MS, we discussed whether a retail register or licensing scheme for tobacco, vapes and nicotine is the next step in tobacco control in Wales.

Speakers were Professor Jamie Pearce, from Edinburgh University; Marie Brousseau-Navarro, the deputy Future Generations Commissioner for Wales; Claire Howells, manager in licensing and trading standards with Torfaen County Borough Council and Fatma Nur Aksoy, a member of the Welsh Youth Parliament.

No Smoking Day 2024

On 13th March this year, we marked No Smoking Day with pop-up events in hospitals, workshops in schools, and an event with politicians in The Senedd.

We sent resources to all corners of Wales, including posters with our face of the campaign, Denise. Denise quit smoking after decades and is testament that it is never too late to quit.

In March, the first beaches in North Wales joined the voluntary Smokefree Beaches initiative. Benllech and Trearddur Bay in Anglesey now join the list of 6 beaches across the Welsh coast taking steps to protect the environment, wildlife and sea life from the harms of discarded cigarette butts.

We invited local schools to join us on Benllech Beach to celebrate the launch of the voluntary initiative. The pupils spoke with BBC and ITV News in between their activities of litter picking, and water safety lessons.

New Survey: Most Welsh Businesses Support New Tobacco Laws

A new survey by ASH Wales Cymru today reveals that support for new tobacco laws among small business owners is particularly strong in Wales.

As Welsh MPs prepare to debate the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the second reading in Westminster, 58% of small businesses surveyed in Wales said they supported Welsh and UK governments’ plans to make it illegal for anyone born after 1st January 2009 to be sold tobacco products1.

In addition, 86% of businesses surveyed in Wales said they would support the introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices for retailer breaches of age of sale legislation for vapes and tobacco products.

Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales Cymru, said: “This strong backing from businesses in Wales is significant because it flies in the face of tobacco industry rhetoric that public protection measures are bad for business – that clearly isn’t the case.

“We already know that some years ago, when display bans and standardised packaging were introduced for cigarettes, the majority of small businesses at that time said it had no impact on them at all.

“Responsible Welsh retailers know that raising the age of sale for tobacco products is the right thing to do, and they want businesses who breach legislation to be held accountable.”

When it comes to the age of sale legislation and the general population, more than 6 out of 10 people in Wales support the measures. In a survey recently by YouGov for ASH Wales 62 % said they were in favour, with 15% opposed.

Data from the ONS shows that Wales has the highest proportion of smokers among all the UK nations. Smoking is uniquely harmful and people need support to end their addiction. Every year in Wales, 5,600 people die from smoking related illnesses and smoking costs the Welsh NHS more than £300m.

According to UK government modelling, the legislation could eliminate smoking in under 30s by 2050.

Suzanne added: “We are urging all Welsh MPs to listen to their constituents, and to the evidence. Passing and implementing this bill will be a legacy they can be proud of, supporting one of the most monumental public health interventions in decades, protecting future generations in Wales from nicotine addiction and the devastating harms of tobacco.

“The clock is ticking on this Bill, there is only a limited amount of time to get it passed into law before the summer recess or a General Election. Failure to do so will result in unnecessary delay and more lives lost.”

The survey of independent retailers was conducted by NEMS, a market research company for ASH Wales, using computer-assisted telephone interviews among a random sample of 100 managers or owners of small shops selling tobacco in Wales. Retailers included newsagents, off-licences, specialist tobacconists, local convenience stores/supermarkets (including symbol groups), and independent fuel stations

Tables set out below for England and Wales, and England and Wales separately.

Question: The Government has announced legislation to raise the age of sale for tobacco for those born in 2009 or later by one year, every year, so it will never be legal to sell them tobacco. To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose this measure?

 England & WalesEnglandWales
Unweighted base904804100
Support51%50%58%
Oppose26%26%27%
Don’t know/ Neither support nor oppose23%25%15%

For more information, contact louise.elliott@ashwales.org.uk  029 2049 0621

Please click here for support to quit smoking

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