Mark Drakeford has advocated for the idea that vapes should be exclusively prescribed to individuals seeking to quit smoking.
As the First Minister, he expressed his attraction to Australia’s approach, which limits the sale of vapes to pharmacies. In alignment with UK government proposals, he also supports the potential prohibition of disposable vapes.
He acknowledged that medical experts held “significant differences” of opinion regarding the effectiveness of vapes in aiding individuals to quit tobacco.
Mr Drakeford said: “In Australia for example the only way you can get an e-cigarette is by prescription. You can’t buy them in shops.
“Only through a medical prescription as part of a supervised attempt to give up smoking are they available.
“And do you know, I would be attracted to that idea myself.”
He referenced the Australian government’s stance, which highlights that e-cigarettes are considered unsafe and that there is “insufficient evidence” to endorse their use as a smoking cessation tool.
During a session at the Senedd, Mr. Drakeford affirmed that the Welsh government’s aim is to “discourage” vaping in public places. He also welcomed Rishi Sunak’s announcement at the Conservative party conference, where the Prime Minister indicated that the government would explore the possibility of restricting the sale of disposable vapes, potentially leading to a ban on their sale.
Mr. Drakeford mentioned that the Welsh government would “align” itself with the anticipated consultation from the UK government regarding this matter.
In 2016, the Senedd lacked the authority to regulate the use of vapes due to a legislative failure. During that period, when Mr. Drakeford served as the Health Minister, the Welsh government aimed to prohibit vaping in enclosed areas frequented by children. However, these plans were thwarted when they lost a vote in the Senedd.
Plaid Cymru voted against the proposed legislation after a Labour minister referred to them as a “cheap date.” On Tuesday, Labour MS Ken Skates lamented the lost opportunity to safeguard young people from the adverse effects of vaping, attributing it to the public health bill’s failure in 2016.
Conservative MS Darren Millar inquired about the Welsh government’s efforts to facilitate access to e-cigarettes on the NHS to aid in smoking cessation. Mr. Drakeford expressed his concern about disposable vapes, characterizing them as “harmful,” and underscored that the evidence supporting the efficacy of vapes in helping people quit smoking is less clear-cut than suggested by Mr. Millar. He noted that the majority of vape users also smoke, which does not mitigate the health risks associated with cigarettes themselves.
