A campaign group dedicated to reducing tobacco harm is pressing politicians to take steps towards eliminating smoking in Wales.

ASH Wales is demanding that every party standing in the Senedd election outline their strategy for achieving a smokefree Wales, in the wake of the Tobacco and Vapes Act recently receiving Royal Assent.

According to the organisation, approximately 10 individuals die daily in Wales due to smoking-related illnesses.

The legislation prohibits the sale of cigarettes to anyone born from January 1 2009 onwards and implements stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, including limitations on promotional activity targeting young people.

Suzanne Cass, the chief executive of ASH Wales, expressed that young people will grow up without access to tobacco products, while youngsters will be shielded from vaping items specifically engineered to attract them. She noted that this represents an achievement worth celebrating.

Despite endorsing the new rules, Ms Cass cautioned that roughly 260,000 individuals in Wales continue to smoke.

She pointed out that while this legislation is significant, it does not address those already smoking. The effectiveness of groundbreaking law depends entirely on enforcement efforts and available resources. The group is therefore urging all competing parties to explain what concrete measures they will implement to ensure a future free from smoking becomes achievable for all residents.

ASH Wales considers the forthcoming Senedd ballot a vital moment to obtain the political pledges required to transform the legislation into enduring transformation.