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.
Evidence and discussion on smoking and health in the Senedd.
The Cross-Party Group on Smoking and Health brought Members of the Senedd together with public health bodies, charities, professionals and other stakeholders to discuss tobacco control and smoking-related inequalities.
The earlier meeting papers below relate to the Sixth Senedd (2021–2026). Cross-Party Groups are informal Senedd groups and must be registered for each Senedd term.
Forthcoming meeting: 5 November 2026
Thursday 5 November 2026, 2pm to 3pm
Online via Microsoft Teams. Free to attend.
Please register through Eventbrite to receive joining details.
Smokefree and vape-free spaces in Wales
The inaugural meeting and AGM of the Seventh Senedd Cross-Party Group on Smoking and Health will explore lessons from existing smokefree policies, evidence on smoking cessation and what these mean for future smokefree and vape-free spaces in Wales.
The meeting will begin with the election of the Group’s Chair and Secretary.
Programme
- Dr Ailsa Butler, Oxford Tobacco Addiction Group: evidence from the Cochrane living review on e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
- Dr Matthew Evison and David Boulger, NHS Greater Manchester: experience from the CURE and Make Smoking History programmes.
- Panel discussion chaired by Anne-Louise Davies of Trading Standards Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association, with the speakers and Suzanne Cass, Chief Executive of ASH Wales.
- Questions and discussion with attendees.
February 2026 meeting
The group met on 10th February 2026 to consider a potential polluter-pays tobacco levy for Wales, including levy design, public health impact, inequalities and implications for Wales.
The meeting formed part of the Sixth Senedd group’s work and included its Annual General Meeting.
What was the group for?
Cross-Party Groups provide an informal forum for discussion. They are not formal Senedd committees and do not have a formal role in policy development.
- Bring together Members of the Senedd and external stakeholders
- Share evidence and lived or professional experience
- Discuss smoking, tobacco control and health inequalities
Earlier meeting papers
We have kept earlier papers and minutes available as an archive of the group’s work during the Sixth Senedd and earlier periods.
Current status
This page does not assume that the Sixth Senedd group, its chair or its membership continue unchanged into the Seventh Senedd. We will update current details once a new group is formally registered and information is available.