First Smoke-free Beaches in North Wales Launched on Ynys Môn

More of Wales’ stunning coastline is being protected from the devastating harms of cigarette pollution, as beaches on Ynys Môn have become the first in north Wales to sign-up to smoke-free status.

The sand and sea at Benllech, on the east of the island, and Treaddur Bay on the west, will now be designated as smoke-free. Locals, visitors and tourists alike will be asked to support the initiative by choosing not to smoke on these beaches.

Cigarette butts are the number one most littered item in the world and pose a major threat to the marine environment. Over time, each butt will break apart into microplastics, seeping toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic and formaldehyde into the fragile marine ecosystem and watercourses.

ASH Wales believes that preventing smoking on Wales’ beaches will play a significant part in reducing litter and protecting wildlife, and will also have a role in preventing children from starting to smoke in the first place.

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said:

“It is fantastic that Ynys Môn has become the first local authority in north Wales to sign up to smoke-free status and make two more of Wales’ beaches smoke-free. Not only will more smoke-free places help protect people from harmful second-hand smoke and reduce the environmental damage from smoking, but they will help make smoke-free the norm in Wales, discourage young people from taking up smoking and support more smokers to quit.

“We want to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and creating more smoke-free spaces is one way we can achieve this. This is why it is important we respect our surroundings and all work together to limit the harmful effects of smoking on our beautiful Welsh landscapes as well its associated health and environmental risks.”

Chief Executive of ASH Wales, Suzanne Cass, said:

“Public support for smoke-free beaches remains high in Wales with around 6 in 10 in favour, so it’s great to see this partnership in action, implementing policies to improve people’s health, the environment and quality of life. We now need more to follow suit, to protect more of our coastline and our communities.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Acting Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Jane Moore, said:

“Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable illness and early death in Wales. If you smoke, then quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. Making public spaces smoke-free is a really important step to help denormalise smoking and can help to prompt people who do smoke to consider quitting.

“Help Me Quit services in north Wales have had one of their busiest years on record, with more than 5,000 people asking for help to stop smoking.”

Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn Leisure, Tourism and Maritime Portfolio Holder, Cllr Neville Evans added:

“People from all over the country, UK and world come to visit our beautiful island and its beaches. They are also an incredibly important resource for our local economy. Appropriate signage will be on display. We hope that this initiative will encourage beach visitors to take the small steps that can help make a big difference in our commitment to help protect the environment. Hopefully, in time, we will also see this extended to other beaches across Anglesey.”

 

ASH Wales celebrates 40 Years of No Smoking Day at The Senedd

This year marks the 40th year of No Smoking Day. A national awareness campaign which is intended to help smokers who want to quit, show support to those who are already on their quitting journey and celebrate those who have successfully quit. As part of this year’s campaign, ASH Wales held an open event in Welsh Parliament in Cardiff.

Pictured above with Lliswery High School Pupils, from left to right: Dr Altaf Hussein MS, John Griffiths MS, chair of the CPG on Smoking and Health, David Rees MS, Huw Irranca-Davies MS.

ASH Wales invited Lliswerry High School (Newport), Llangatwg Community School (Neath), and Radyr Comprehensive School (Cardiff) to join the event to hear more about the work Wales has done and been an integral part of in fighting tobacco addiction in Welsh communities. As well as the well-known health harms of smoking, the students learnt more about the environmental impact of cigarettes and how they harm our oceans and wildlife.

Further to this, for No Smoking Day 2024 ASH Wales placed the spotlight on Denise (66) from Splott, Cardiff to tell her story; quitting after smoking 40 a day for over 50 years. Denise was able to join the event, now 12 months completely smokefree, and provide the students with further insight into how the addiction impacted her everyday life, physical health, mental health as well as her finances. The Smokefree champion admitted there are moments of temptation, but they are quickly followed by reminders of her hard work and the benefits of her smokefree life. The students applauded her and so did the Senedd Members who joined us.

Pictured with Llangatwg Community School pupils, from left to right: John Griffiths MS, Denise Jenkins, Mike Hedges MS.

Welsh politicians spoke to the students about the importance of their health and wellbeing, listened to what they had to say and how they felt smoking impacted their communities. The politicians happily took photographs with the pupils and answered some quiz questions they had prepared on the topic of smoking.

ASH Wales were delighted to be able to provide the students with the opportunity to delve into the political environment and gain experience of campaigning for the health of Welsh communities, as well as meet with Members of the Senedd to discuss how we can move forward to our goal of Smokefree 2030 in Wales.

You can watch Denise’s story HERE.

You can see more content on our No Smoking Day events on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

UK Gov: Chancellor’s Budget Announcement

New vape tax would be a welcome next step – but more action is urgently needed to achieve a Smokefree Generation and tackle youth vaping

Two of Wales’ leading health charities have welcomed plans for the additional regulation of vape products, following the announcement of a consultation on the design of a new levy  by Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.

ASH Wales and Asthma + Lung UK Cymru agree a new tax is a good idea and have now urged the UK Government to go further.

Suzanne Cass, chief executive of Ash Wales, said:

“A new tax will be a useful lever to support enforcement to tackle the supply and demand of illegal products, especially among children who should never vape. But on its own, it’s not enough.

“The longer we wait – the bigger the problem becomes and more children become dependent on nicotine. We urgently need to see the bill to create a smokefree generation and tackle youth vaping tabled in Westminster, progressed through the legislative process and then passed into law here in Wales.”

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said:

“Introducing a new tax on vapes is a good idea. We need urgent action to stop children from vaping, with disposable vapes in particular remaining far too attractive and easy for children to buy – a price increase would quickly make vapes less accessible.

“However, the revenue from a vaping levy must be used to fund a vape recycling scheme and enforcement around sales. Alongside a levy, we want to see restrictions on the marketing of vapes so that they do not appeal to children.”

A vape tax would also have the added benefit of giving greater powers to Border Force and HMRC to stop the import of illegal vapes.

ASH Wales also welcomed plans for an increase in tobacco duty and highlighted the importance of keeping a price differential between vapes and tobacco, to avoid sending a message that they are equally harmful.

Worryingly, according to ASH Wales data, there is a sizeable proportion of adults in Wales who believe that vapes are just as harmful, or more harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

The ASH Wales YouGov Annual Survey 2023 shows the percentage who feel this way has grown from 25% in 2017 to 46% in 2023. This is consistent among smokers in Wales, with 47% who felt this way – again a significant increase from 14% of smokers in 2017.

Suzanne Cass added: “It’s important that smokers always have that option to switch from smoking to vaping, which is not only significantly less harmful to their health – but it should also be less expensive too.”

Joseph Carter added: “It’s also important to remember that vaping can be a useful way for adults to quit smoking, so the levy should fund an expansion of the Swap to Stop scheme and enable people on the lowest incomes to access vaping devices to help them.  

“If you’re a smoker and you want to quit tobacco, vaping can be a helpful way to give up smoking. But for children and those who don’t smoke, starting to vape is never good idea, especially if you have a lung condition.” 

UK Gov: Smoke-free Generation Bill

Latest evidence · September 2026

This article reflects proposals and polling from February 2024. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 has since received Royal Assent. See our current Wales law and implementation guide and our latest approved public-attitudes research.

62% of adults in Wales support the PM’s ambition to stamp out smoking
  • ASH Wales Cymru urges the UK government to put the Smokefree Generation Bill to Parliament now
Health charity ASH Wales, which is Wales’ leading tobacco control organisation, is urging the UK Government to listen to the Welsh public and put the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament without further delay, as polling shows overwhelming support for stamping out smoking.When it comes to the age of sale legislation, 62% of those previously surveyed by YouGov for ASH Wales said they were in favour with 15% opposed.Support for raising the age of sale was shown to be strongest among voters in Wales for the three main parties in the general election (71% of those intending to vote Conservative, 76% Labour and 80% Plaid Cymru).Suzanne Cass, chief executive of ASH Wales, said,

“Smoking still kills over 5,000 people in Wales every single year. We need bold action to stamp out this silent killer that is hiding in plain sight. Raising the age of sale is bold action and is fully supported by the people of Wales. This latest poll demonstrates the urgent need for that action to be put into practice to protect our young people from ever becoming addicted.”

UK Gov: Raising Age of Sale and Ban on Disposable Vapes

Latest evidence · September 2026

This January 2024 article reflects proposals and smoking-cost estimates available at that time. The law and evidence have moved on. See our current law guide and latest Wales statistics.

A package of measures announced by the UK Government as part of its response to the consultation on smoking and vaping, is being welcomed by the health charity ASH Wales.

Suzanne Cass, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health Wales, said, “Today’s announcements are a vital stepping stone on the path to ending the smoking epidemic once and for all. The UK Government’s strategy, which is supported by Welsh Government, is the right one: stop smoking initiation, support smokers to quit by using the most effective methods, while protecting children by curbing youth vaping. Smoking kills 5,600 people every year in Wales and costs the Welsh NHS more than £300m. Smoking is the silent killer that hides in plain sight. Ending this scourge on society is long overdue.”
  • Ban on disposable vapes
ASH was first to raise the alarm about disposable vapes fueling a growth in underage vaping, after our UK survey data in 2022 showed an uptick in underage vaping with disposables the majority choice. This trend has continued and in 2023 and 69% of underage vapers said they use disposable vapes.Disposable vapes are widely available for pocket money prices, attractive and easy to use, and environmentally damaging and tough action is needed. However, there are significant challenges to making a ban work, and there need to be exemptions for use by healthcare professionals with vulnerable smokers.
  • New powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops so that they don’t appeal to children.
Suzanne Cass, chief executive of ASH Wales, said: “The UK Government is taking vital powers to control the design and promotion of e-cigarettes to prevent them being promoted to children. The comic characters, bright colours and sweet names so appealing to children are unacceptable for products that should only be promoted to adults as an aid to quitting smoking.”
  • New law will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009,
The new law is supported by all the leading health organisations including the medical royal colleges, health charities and professional associations. A large online survey by YouGov for ASH Wales found that six in ten (62%) adults in Wales already support the legislation, with only 15% opposed.For more information, please contact Louise Elliott:louise.elliott@ashwales.org.uk 

Youth Vaping Education Package

ASH Wales currently offer a Youth Vaping Education Package. For more information please contact Tirion Meredith:tirion.meredith@ashwales.org.uk

ASH Wales in 2023

2023 has been one of significant change here at ASH Wales, as we research and advise on the rise of youth vaping as well as continuing our crucial work in tobacco control.

There was big news in smoking history in 2023 with the UK Government’s plan to raise the Age of Sale on Tobacco, this proposed legislation will mean it will be an offence for anyone born on or after 1st January 2009 to be sold tobacco products. This is a huge step in the right direction and ASH Wales fully supports this.

We have amazing plans for 2024 to support Welsh Communities with Smoking and Vaping, but first let’s have a look at just some of the work we did in 2023.

Vaping Focus Group

Earlier in 2023, as a direct response to the vaping concerns from our communities, ASH Wales organised a pivotal Focus Group with Teachers and Senior School Members from across Wales. We listened to the concerns and experiences of those dealing first hand with young people who are vaping and are experiencing nicotine dependency.

It was clear there was a need for more support and education on e-cigarettes and what nicotine dependency can mean for young people, so we stepped in with the below:

Webinars

Some of you may already know and have joined us for our webinars. ASH Wales delivered a series of Webinars on Vaping and the Illicit Market in Wales, thanks to our funders at The Community Fund. Over 320 of you joined us for the live events, discussing the facts, the statistics, shared concerns and asked important questions.

With help from some important guest speakers from Hywel Dda University Health Board with their excellent support work for young people with nicotine dependency, and Trading Standards Wales with the imperative investigations and closure orders on sellers of illegal products.

Through the series we outlined the basics on vapes, how they’re impacting children and young people, how we can take supportive action in schools, and how to report criminal sellers.

If you missed the live webinars, you can watch them on our website by registering below – and keep your eyes peeled for future webinars:

Vaping Survey

When trying to design resources and projects on this topic, we saw there was a lack of data on vaping prevalence and experiences among young people. There wasn’t a clear picture on what the vaping landscape looked like.

In the first of its kind survey, an overwhelming amount of secondary school pupils have participated in our Vaping Survey. Over 11,000 students across Wales have shared their experiences and opinions with us on vaping.

This data will provide a never-seen-before insight into the issue of underage vaping and illegal vaping products and could guide Wales in the right direction of solutions and support networks.

The survey has now closed, and the results will be shared in the New Year, so keep an eye on our socials and your inbox for the latest news on this.

School Support

We recognise that there is little information and support for teachers, school nurses, parents and carers. As a response, vaping resources and workshops have been developed by ASH Wales for schools across Wales, including teacher training and guidance on lessons through a holistic approach in contexts such as peer pressure and decision making.

These are currently being piloted in Anglesey and will be available in the New Year,

No Ifs. No Butts.

Teaming up with funders Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, in 2023, we tackled the illicit Tobacco and Vape Market in North Wales.

With an increase in community outreach events and enforcement work with Trading Standards Wales, the campaign saw a boost in reports for North Wales as well as an overall increase in campaign awareness and engagement across Wales.

The campaign push for North Wales assisted Trading Standards Wales to further their investigations and support enforcement seizures, disrupting criminals and their sales to our Welsh communities and protecting young people from addiction. It important we continue to report criminals to reduce the availability and accessibility of these products to our children and young people.

If you would like to know more about this work, or would like to anonymously report sales or suspicious activity in your area, please click the link below:

Annual Survey

Each year ASH Wales conduct a national survey across Wales for an overview on smoking and vaping prevalence. The survey provides an insight into behaviours and attitudes towards smoking and vaping; information that is pivotal in guiding health policies, campaigns and outreach work, not just for ASH Wales but for our friends in other organisations tackling similar issues.

In Wales, 13% of adults told us they smoke and the majority say they want to give up at some point. The health, financial and societal benefits of quitting are huge, so finding positive and appropriate ways to support these people remains a priority for us all.

For the latest update, click below to view the report:

StopiOctober

In 2022, we created Wales’ answer to Stoptober, StopiOctober, and promoted stop-smoking services across the country online.

In 2023, we stepped up our game with the second year of StopiOctober activities, visiting our communities with resources to talk about the benefits of quitting smoking. Our Project Delivery Leader, Tirion visited Schools to discuss the importance of avoiding cigarettes and smoking as well as the benefits of quitting.

ASH Wales also organised pop-up events at hospitals to promote their smoke-free status and to discuss quitting with patients and staff members.

 

 

 

WHAT HAVE WE GOT PLANNED FOR 2024?

So what’s happening this year?

Watch this space for progress on the UK Legislation on Raising the Age of Sale, further work on our Smokefree Spaces such as beaches and hospitals, educational and training webinars, vaping projects and support, school resources and workshops and so much more!