Written Statement by , Deputy Minister for Mental
Health and Wellbeing: A Smoke-free Wales: Our Tobacco Control
Strategy for Wales and Towards a Smoke-free Wales Delivery Plan
2022-24
I am pleased to today be publishing our new long-term tobacco
control strategy A Smoke-free Wales and our
first two-year delivery plan Towards a Smoke-free Wales
Delivery Plan 2022-24.
The strategy sets out our ambition for Wales to be smoke-free
Wales by 2030. This means reducing smoking prevalence rates among
adults to 5% or less over the next eight years. To support the
delivery of the strategy, we are putting in place a series of
two-year delivery plans, which set out the actions we will take
as we work towards a smoke-free Wales.
We have consulted and engaged widely on both these important
documents. We were also keen to learn from past experiences on
tobacco control and therefore commissioned a review of our
previous strategy (published in 2012) and delivery plans. The
outcomes of the consultation, the engagement work and the review
are also being published today.
I have carefully considered the responses and a number of changes
have been made to the strategy and delivery plan. I was pleased
to see the support for our ambition to create a smoke-free Wales
by 2030 and for the three themes identified in the strategy. I
also noted from the feedback the clear importance of protecting
children, young people and future generations from the dangers of
tobacco and that addressing maternal smoking should be a key
priority for us in achieving a smoke-free society. We have
therefore strengthened our commitment to addressing these areas
in response. We will also work with people and communities to
understand the reasons for higher smoking rates among some groups
in society and to develop effective support measures to help
people quit smoking.
As a government, we are committed to delivering meaningful
changes to tackle health inequalities, preventing ill health and
supporting people to make healthier choices. Working towards a
smoke-free Wales and supporting people to stop smoking is a key
part of this.
I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation
and for help in shaping our approach towards a smoke-free Wales.
The strategy and delivery plan, together with the research
report, consultation and engagement documents are available here;
https://gov.wales/long-term-tobacco-control-strategy-wales
https://gov.wales/tobacco-control-strategy-wales-and-delivery-plan
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep
members informed. Should members wish me to make a further
statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns
I would be happy to do so.
