Smoking prevalence, vaping laws, snus in Wales

In Wales, the prevalence of current smoking in the general population, aged 18 and over, has decreased from 22.3% in 2011 to 16% in 2017, according to trend data from the Office for national Statistics (ONS). The decrease for men was from 23.5% to 17.3% over this period, and for women a decrease from 21% to 15% was observed. Smoking data for Wales are taken from the Annual Population Survey (APS), a continuous household survey that covers adults aged 18 years and above. The survey uses a large sample of around 320,000 households each year. Statistics from the ONS data differ slightly to those from the Health Survey of Wales, which shows current smoking at: 19% generally; 21% for men; and 17% for women, all in 2017 - however trend data were not available.

Wales is part of the UK and as such abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). E-cigarettes may be brought to market either as medicines or as consumer products. One e-cigarette product has been licensed to be prescribed through the National Health Service as a medicine, and it is not currently available on the market. E-cigarettes sold as consumer products are regulated under the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (SI 2016 no. 507). This covers all of the UK, however devolved nations may choose to apply greater restrictions. Manufacturers must provide detailed information regarding all new e-cigarette products to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Advertising is allowed on billboards but not on TV and radio. Legally, there are no restrictions on where you can vape, but companies, public transport and public buildings implement their own restrictions. E-cigarettes are subject to a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT); however, if they are regulated as medicines, a 5% tax is levied instead. No 'medicinal' products are currently available.

There are no comments specific to snus in Wales in the database.

In Wales, Article 19 of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, covering novel tobacco products, covers heated tobacco products. Regulations cover reporting, notifications and health warning labels. Heated tobacco products are taxed at the same rate as hand rolled tobacco, which is currently taxed at £234.79 per kilogram. A Value Added Tax of 20% of the retail price is also added.

There are no comments specific to nicotine replacement therapy in Wales in the database.