Leading charities join forces to call for target to eradicate smoking in Wales

Plans for entirely eliminating tobacco use should form part of Welsh Government’s new Tobacco Control Plan, according to ASH Wales, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru.

They are calling on Welsh Government to set a target similar to that set in England, where there are plans to reduce smoking to five per cent of the population by 2030, and Scotland, which aims to become a tobacco-free nation by 2034.

So far the Welsh Government is just one per cent off its current target to reduce smoking prevalence to 16 per cent of the population by 2020, with 17 per cent of Welsh adults now smoking.

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Speaking ahead of the Cross Party Group on Smoking and Health at the Senedd where AMs will discuss the Tobacco Control Plan, ASH Wales chief executive Suzanne Cass, said: “We are working towards a smoke-free Wales as this is the only way to address the devastating health inequalities caused by this terrible addiction.

“Smoking remains the biggest cause of early preventable death in the country, yet it continues to be taken up by 30 young people in Wales every day.

“We are calling on Welsh Government to set an end game target that will focus efforts on providing cessation support to the remaining 467,000 smokers in Wales and preventing young people from taking up the habit.”

Adam Fletcher, head of BHF Cymru, said: “It’s crucial that Wales doesn’t become the only part of the UK which doesn’t set a clear target to end smoking.

“Making Wales smoke free will help reduce health inequalities and we would welcome a commitment from Welsh Government to achieve this by 2030.”

Andy Glyde, public affairs manager for Cancer Research UK, said he believes steps that could be taken to meet the target could include more support for hospital patients that smoke and a campaign to raise awareness of stop smoking services.

“Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer in Wales so an ambition for a smoke free Wales is a crucial step towards better public health," he said.

“There’s been good progress in reducing smoking in recent years and we know that people who receive support through services like Help Me Quit are more likely to be successful.”

Across Wales 467,000 adults currently smoke with prevalence in the most deprived areas, at 21 per cent compared to 13 per cent in the least deprived.

Smoking costs the Welsh economy £790.66 million a year and leaves the NHS with an annual bill of £302 million.

John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, is chair of the Cross Party Group on Smoking and Health.

He said: “Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable mortality and health inequality in Wales. It is vitally important that community-based actions at grass roots levels have the financial support they need to effectively help people quit cigarettes for good.”