New 2025 SHRN data shows regular vaping and smoking have fallen among secondary school learners in Wales. We look at the latest figures, what they mean and why prevention work still matters.
1976-2026
50 years of action for a smokefree Wales
For five decades, ASH Wales has worked to reduce the harm caused by smoking and tobacco across Wales.
In our 50th year, we’re celebrating how far Wales has come, while keeping our focus firmly on what still needs to change.
50
YEARS
1976-2026
Five decades. One continuing goal.
A Wales where tobacco no longer drives avoidable illness, death and inequality.
We are ASH Wales
Action on Smoking and Health Wales is a public health charity working to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and nicotine and help create a smokefree Wales.
Our work brings together research, policy, campaigns, prevention and partnership. We work with communities, young people, professionals and organisations across Wales to understand what is happening, share evidence and help drive change.
Our goal
A smokefree Wales by 2030
Wales’ national tobacco control strategy defines smokefree as adult smoking prevalence of 5% or less.
What we do
Our work stretches from national policy to conversations with young people. These strands overlap because tobacco harm is never just one issue.
Research & evidence
We produce and share Wales-specific research so decisions are grounded in what is actually happening here.
Policy & advocacy
We use evidence to inform tobacco control policy, legislation and public health priorities in Wales.
Prevention
We combine evidence, education, resources and partnerships to prevent smoking, vaping and nicotine use before it becomes established.
Campaigns & communities
We turn evidence into public-facing campaigns, resources and conversations that make tobacco issues easier to understand.
Networks & partnerships
We bring people together across health, local government, education, enforcement and the voluntary sector.
Information & support
We provide clear information about smoking, vaping and nicotine and help people find trusted routes to quit support.
From cigarette adverts to a smokefree generation
ASH Wales was founded in 1976, but the tobacco-control story had already begun. Over the decades, advertising has disappeared, health warnings have grown, smoking has been pushed out of public spaces and shops, and protections for children have steadily strengthened.
These are some of the milestones that shaped tobacco control in Wales and across the UK.
1965
Cigarette adverts disappear from television
Cigarette advertising is banned on commercial television across the UK from 1st August 1965, marking a major early break between tobacco brands and mass media.
1971
The first government health warnings appear
Cigarette packs begin carrying the warning “Smoking can damage your health”, with warnings also required in press and poster advertising under a government-industry agreement.
Early 1970s
Cigarette advertising is kept off commercial radio
As commercial radio develops, cigarette advertising is barred under broadcasting rules, extending the restrictions already applied to television.
1976
ASH Wales is founded
A dedicated Welsh organisation begins working to reduce the harm caused by smoking and tobacco.
1991-1992
Retail tobacco controls tighten
New UK legislation strengthens controls around tobacco sales to children and requires age-of-sale warning notices at retail premises.
1998
Smoking Kills sets a new direction
The UK Government publishes Smoking Kills, the first comprehensive White Paper on tobacco, setting out action on advertising, prevention and support to quit.
2003
Most tobacco advertising is banned
Major provisions of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 come into force, banning most tobacco advertising and promotion across the UK.
2005
Tobacco sponsorship comes to an end
The remaining transitional exemptions for major tobacco sponsorship agreements expire by 31st July 2005, ending tobacco sponsorship of major sporting and cultural events.
2005
The UK joins the global tobacco treaty
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control enters into force for the UK, providing an international framework for action on advertising, smoke-free environments, packaging and illicit trade.
2007
Wales goes smoke-free indoors
From 2nd April, smoking is prohibited in enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces in Wales.
2007
The tobacco age of sale rises to 18
From 1st October, the legal age for buying tobacco in England and Wales increases from 16 to 18.
2008
Picture health warnings arrive on cigarette packs
The UK becomes an early adopter of picture warnings on cigarette packs, making the health harms of smoking much more visible.
2011
Cigarette vending machines disappear
The sale of tobacco from vending machines is prohibited in Wales, closing an easy route of access for children and young people.
2012
Tobacco disappears behind shop shutters
Wales introduces restrictions on tobacco displays in large shops from December 2012, with the rules extending to other retailers in 2015.
2012
Wales publishes a Tobacco Control Action Plan
The plan sets a strategic approach for reducing smoking, preventing uptake and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke between 2012 and 2020.
2015
Cars carrying children become smoke-free
From 1st October, it becomes illegal to smoke in a private vehicle carrying someone under 18 in England and Wales.
2015
Under-18 vape sales are restricted
Retailers in England and Wales can no longer sell nicotine e-cigarettes or e-liquids to under-18s, and proxy-purchasing restrictions are introduced.
2016-2017
Packaging becomes much harder to use as advertising
Standardised tobacco packs are introduced alongside larger combined picture-and-text health warnings. Full retail compliance is required by May 2017.
2020
Menthol cigarettes are banned
The sale of menthol cigarettes and menthol hand-rolling tobacco is prohibited from 20th May 2020.
2021
Wales extends smoke-free protection outdoors
Hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds and outdoor childcare settings become legally smoke-free from 1st March.
2022
Wales sets a smokefree 2030 ambition
The long-term tobacco control strategy sets the ambition of reducing adult smoking prevalence to 5% or less by 2030.
2025
Single-use vapes are banned
From 1st June, businesses in Wales can no longer supply or offer to supply single-use vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not.
2026
The Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law
The Act receives Royal Assent on 29th April 2026, creating major new tobacco, vaping and nicotine controls across the UK, with specific provisions for Wales.
2026
ASH Wales turns 50
Five decades after our founding, our work continues across research, prevention, policy, public information, community intelligence and partnership.
What comes next
2027 → 2030
From 1st January 2027, the Tobacco and Vapes Act’s smokefree-generation age-of-sale rules begin: tobacco products cannot legally be sold to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009.
The wider goal remains a smokefree Wales by 2030, meaning adult smoking prevalence of 5% or less.
This timeline includes both Wales-specific measures and major UK-wide tobacco-control changes that applied in Wales. It highlights the changing policy landscape alongside ASH Wales’ own 50-year story.
Our work, through the years
Campaigns, communities, events, young people and partnerships. The work has changed shape over the years, but the purpose has stayed remarkably consistent.
What guides our work
Evidence first
We ask what the data says, look for the gaps and keep Wales-specific evidence visible.
Inequalities matter
Smoking harm is not evenly shared. Our work keeps that unequal burden in view.
Prevention matters
Protecting future generations means acting before smoking and nicotine use become normal or established.
Better together
Lasting change needs health, communities, government, education, enforcement and the voluntary sector working together.
Welsh focus. Wider movement.
ASH Wales focuses on the needs, evidence and policy context of Wales. We also work alongside Action on Smoking and Health organisations elsewhere in Great Britain, sharing learning and expertise where it helps.
Across Wales, our professional networks and partnerships connect people working on tobacco control, prevention and health.
Working across Wales
Our networks include professionals and organisations working across tobacco control, public health and prevention.
Explore ASH Wales
Reports & publications
See what we have delivered, learned and worked on year by year.
50 years down. The work continues.
Help us keep pushing for a healthier, more equal and smokefree Wales.