Welsh Conservatives make e-cigarette and vaping pledge as Plaid remain silent on key public health issue

Darren Millar, Welsh Conservative health spokesperson and candidate in Clwyd West, has warned that an e-cigarette ban would be likely if Labour and Plaid Cymru establish a coalition after the Assembly elections next month.
The comments come after Plaid Cymru’s manifesto remained silent on the issue.

Welsh Conservatives led the way in opposing Labour’s proposed ban on e-cigarettes, working with cancer charities and smoking cessation organisations to highlight their effectiveness in helping reduce harm from tobacco smoking by helping smokers to quit the habit and reduce their cigarette consumption.

Welsh Conservatives are committed to supporting vaping in public. The Party has also pledged to pilot the use of e-cigarettes in NHS smoking cessation services.

Labour proposals to restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public places – which were expected to be rubber-stamped – were rejected by AMs in March.

Labour, however, have not ruled out seeking to implement similar restrictions in the future – and Plaid’s silence on the issue will cause concern across Wales.

Darren Millar said:

“E-cigarettes have helped thousands of people across Wales to quit smoking and reduce their tobacco consumption and Labour’s war on e-cigs flies in the face of evidence pointing to big health benefits from those who switch from smoking to vaping. Their proposals for a ban were Nanny State politics at their absolute worst.

“We know Plaid have cosied up to Labour time and time again in recent years. Their silence on the e-cigarette issue suggests they may be happy to do a deal with Labour after May that includes plans to resurrect a ban in public places.

“Welsh Conservatives remain committed to helping people quit smoking and that’s why we would pilot the use of e-cigarettes in NHS smoking cessation services.”