The Welsh Government has given its consent for the implementation of a new regulation for standardised packaging of all cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products introduced by the UK Government.
Wales Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford said: "I have today written to the UK Government’s Public Health Minister confirming my approval that proposed regulations to introduce standardised packaging for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco will apply in Wales.
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"The Welsh Government will continue to work to reduce smoking levels in Wales to 16% by 2020."
Earlier this month, the British Government confirmed its plans to introduce legislation for plain packaging for tobacco products. While the legislation is now backed by England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Governments are yet to approve.
The regulation is subject to an MP vote. It is expected to come into effect in 2016, along with the European tobacco products directive.
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The law will require tobacco firms to ban cigarette branding and implement cigarette packaging with certain mandatory colours and text and required markings such as health warnings.
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By GlobalDataTobacco control measures will be included in the directive. These include health warning pictures, a ban on flavourings, and packaging controls to combat illicit trade.
Figures release by the latest Welsh Health Survey show that over a fifth of adults admitted to smoking in 2013.
