Earlier this year, Health Minister Mark Drakeford introduced a bill calling for legislation on e-cigarettes to come in line with existing tobacco laws, but the bill has been withdrawn at the last minute.
Intended to come into effect in early 2016, the bill would have meant a total ban on electronic devices in all enclosed public spaces in Wales. If the bill had gone ahead, it would have made Wales the first British Nation to legislate a ban of this type, which is already enforced in Malta, Belgium and Spain.
Despite the majority of research pointing to the contrary, Drakeford has said his stance potential harmful effects of e-cigs has not changed, “This is not an area in which you should wait for proof that harm has conclusively happened. We need to take action now to prevent the possibility of harm.”
Both The British Heart Foundation, and ASH Wales and Tenovus were amongst numerous organisations that expressed concern over the proposal, with public health experts writing a joint letter to all Assembly Members condemning the bill which stated “If passed it [the ban] will discourage rather than encourage smokers to switch from smoking to e-cigarettes, with a negative impact on public health in Wales.”
This was a sentiment shared by Welsh Conservative Darren Millar AM, who doesn’t think the recent U-turn goes far enough, wants the ban scrapped entirely. “All the evidence suggests e-cigarettes have an important part to play in helping smokers kick the habit and tinkering with the ban won’t work.”
