In the years to come, the Welsh Government has to make savings from the health budget. It shall be possible if health improvement initiatives are encouraged.

One much needed health initiative is the new tobacco control action plan. Due to smoking related issues, more than £1m of expenses are incurred by NHS everyday, which already has a stretched budget. Dr Richard Lewis says that if the high smoking rates of Wales is lowered, it shall not only improve the health of the nation but also save NHS money.

The Welsh Government may implement regulations under 2009 Health Act. It may stop the display of tobacco products in shops. The display of tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars in the shop are used by companies as a mode of advertisement that provides a wrong picture about tobacco to the youngsters, who perceive smoking as a pretty normal thing, despite knowing that smoking can be fatal.

BMA Wales supports the action for controlling the use of tobacco. It wants to make sure that the control action plan made by the government is implemented effectively.

In UK, one in every four adults smokes. Smoking is the leading cause of death every year. Most people start smoking before the age of 25. An average Wales’ person starts smoking between 11 and 12.