National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru
Health and Social Care Committee/ Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol

Public Health (Wales) Bill / Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru)

Evidence from University South Wales – School of Life Science – PHB 80 / Tystiolaeth gan Brifysgol De Cymru – Yr Ysgol Gwyddorau Bywyd ac Addysg – PHB 80

Public Health (Wales) Bill: Consultation questions

Tobacco and Nicotine Products

The Bill includes proposals to ban the use of nicotine inhaling devices, such as e-cigarettes, in enclosed spaces like restaurants, pubs and at work. Shops will also have to join a register for retailers of tobacco and nicotine products, and it will become an offence to “hand over” tobacco and e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.

Question 1

Do you agree that the use of e-cigarettes should be banned in enclosed public and work places in Wales, as is currently the case for smoking tobacco?

 Definitely agree –

· Risk of passive  inhalation  from vaping

· Evidence base on potential risks from chemicals in these devices is currently limited – so could pose further health risk of future

· Sends confused messages – is it/isn’t it a cigarette – can’t tell first glance.

· Problem enforcing smoking ban in public places/cars if confusion on what is being used

· Promotes copying/replicating behaviour by children and adolescents

· A child public health issue due to their age and vulnerability – cognition, knowledge and understanding immature to be able to make informed choices.

· Smoking/vaping is a leisure activity – should not be allowed in the workplace

Question 2

Do you believe the provisions in the Bill will achieve a balance between the potential benefits to smokers wishing to quit with any potential dis-benefits related to the use of e-cigarettes?

Yes

· Need to control products in case additional chemicals are added

· Need to prevent replacing the smoking habit with vaping habit

· Need to ensure those wishing to ‘quit’ smoking are assisted in an organised way

· Access to these can assist quitting but nicotine replacement is addictive so same control as  tobacco encouraged.

· Promoting good choices for future population out ways the need for those who are trying to give up smoking by using other forms of inhalation products/e cigarettes as they could use other forms to help which are not visible to children – i.e. patches or a placebo cigarette which contains no inhalation.

Question 3

Do you have any views on whether the use of e-cigarettes re-normalises smoking behaviours in smoke-free areas, and whether, given their appearance in replicating cigarettes, inadvertently promote smoking?

Yes –

· Sends confused messages – is it/isn’t it a cigarette – can’t tell first glance.

· Problem enforcing smoking ban in public places/cars if confusion on what is being used

· Children and adolescents understanding immature to be able to make informed choices on what is being used and differences

· E-cigs produce a vapour which looks like a smoke so smoke free must mean smoke free

Question 4

Do you have any views on whether e-cigarettes are particularly appealing to young people and could lead to a greater uptake of their use among this age group, and which may ultimately lead to smoking tobacco products?

Yes-

· Copying behaviour, fashion and media pressure may encourage take up that could lead to ‘trying’ smoking

Question 5

Do you agree with the proposal to establish a national register of retailers of tobacco and nicotine products?

Yes –

· Prevent room for illegal products

· Health& Safety e.g. Fire hazard, exploding devices also needs to be accounted for

Question 6

What are your views on creating a new offence for knowingly handing over tobacco and nicotine products to a person under 18, which is the legal age of sale in Wales?

Yes though difficult to police_

· Until evidence base is robust on long term use safety

Special Procedures

The Bill includes a proposal to create a compulsory licensing system for people who carry out special procedures in Wales. These special procedures are tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis. The places where these