Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
In his Cabinet Written Statement of 25 September 2020, the Minister for Health and Social Services announced the intention to bring the provisions contained in Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 and the Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020 into force on 1 March 2021.
From today, all hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds and outdoor care settings for children in Wales will be required to be smoke-free. In certain circumstances, those working in others’ homes will also be able to work in a smoke-free environment as well as those that are receiving goods or services from a dwelling. It will be an offence to smoke in these settings.
The legislation will also revoke the Smoke-free Premises etc. (Wales) Regulations 2007 and there have been some changes to those settings which were not required to be smoke-free previously. Over the next year and by 1 March 2022, smoking in bedrooms in hotels, guest houses etc. will be phased out and self-contained holiday accommodation (cottages, caravans etc.) will be required to be smoke-free. Mental Health Units will also be required to phase out any smoking rooms by 1 September 2022. In addition, who can use designated smoking rooms in adult care homes and adult hospices has been changed.
Smoking is extremely harmful and damaging to health and I am committed to taking action to reduce the health impacts of smoking in Wales. Extending the smoke-free requirements to more places will further protect the public from harmful second-hand smoke and will help reduce a known trigger for ex-smokers to restart. Banning smoking in places where children and young people spend their time, such as public playgrounds, school grounds and care settings, will also help to denormalise smoking and crucially reduce the chances of children and young people taking up smoking in the first place.
The implementation of this legislation has only been possible due to the efforts of a broad range of partners and stakeholders and I am grateful to all those involved for their contribution. As well as supporting our stakeholders with training and guidance documents, the Welsh Government is working to increase public awareness of the new legislation via a communications campaign.
If Members or stakeholders would like further information on the legislation or its implementation, please contact: TobaccoPolicy@gov.wales. Guidance has been published on the Welsh Government website.