Skip to content
Back to latest news
Policy and Advocacy
Press Release
Tobacco Control

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.”

Share this story

Writing about this issue?

Journalists can use the ASH Wales Media Centre for Wales-specific data, background and spokesperson requests.

Visit Media Centre

More from ASH Wales

October 29, 2026

New nicotine formats to recognise

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.
ASH WalesBy ASH Wales
October 29, 2026

New Help Me Quit support for people who want to stop vaping

Public Health Wales has launched free bilingual vaping support, including an adult-focused Help Me Quit app module and resources for professionals working with young people.
ASH WalesBy ASH Wales
Black-and-white illustrations of a shop, vape, nicotine pouches and an ID checklist on a green background.
October 29, 2026

New vape and nicotine rules take effect in Wales

New restrictions on vape and nicotine sales, promotions and vending machines take effect today. The smokefree-generation tobacco rules follow in January.
ASH WalesBy ASH Wales
Browse the newsroom