Trading Standard Wales (TSW) is concerned on the implementation as well as the results of the Generational Smoking Ban and has called on the Welsh government to examine closely the reasons why this health measure was unsuccessful in New Zealand.
As evident in Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill filed by Trading Standard Wales, TSW is concerned over the viability of generational smoking ban, stating that the measure would create a "two-tier age system for tobacco" whereby someone born in 2008 would be legally able to purchase tobacco products whilst someone born in 2009 would not.
Legislative Consent Memorandum, filed in January this year, is available online.
The statement by TSW states, "Having a two tier age system means that young people could still obtain cigarettes from older friends or family members that smoke and, it is unlikely that any parties would report each other to the authorities as both would face legal consequences in doing so.
"We do not think it is realistic to believe that in the future, 30, 40, or 50 year old adults who are purchasing tobacco products would be challenged about their age and asked to prove they were born before January 2009.
"The measures do not include a strategy for dealing with the impact that this legislation would have on the illegal tobacco/vapes market.
"Despite the benefits of the measure, questions need to be asked as to whether a tobacco control policy that adopts an aggressive prohibitionist approach towards consumers is the most effective means of achieving a tobacco free future.
"Welsh Government needs to examine closely the reasons why this health measure was unsuccessful in New Zealand and repealed in February 2024 despite receiving support from academics, clinicians, local communities and the general public."
On being asked if the legislation will be able to sufficiently protects young people from vaping while supporting smokers to quit, TWS stated, "It is felt that legislation alone will not achieve this.
"There needs to be an emphasis on education and tackling illegal ‘underground’ sales once the legislation comes into force. This cannot be undertaken without adequate local authority resourcing."
