Welsh First Minister Interested in a ‘Prescription Vape’ Model

Wales’ First Minister has expressed support for a policy requiring a prescription to purchase vaping devices, arguing that smokers who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes do not reduce the harm caused by tobacco itself.

According to a brief report by UK media outlet ITV on October 10, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford answered questions about e-cigarette use during a plenary session. He said he was quite interested in the idea of “allowing e-cigarettes only by prescription.” This policy has already been implemented in Australia, where only people trying to quit smoking can buy e-cigarettes. 

Drakeford made the remarks while responding to a question from Welsh Conservative MS Darren Millar. He said, “In Australia, you must have a prescription to buy e-cigarettes, and they are not sold in shops. E-cigarettes can only be used through a doctor’s prescription as part of a supervised smoking-cessation process, and I personally think that is a very good idea.” 

It is worth noting that the Welsh government had previously called for a ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. Drakeford also took the opportunity to explain his views on the environmental impact of e-cigarettes, saying that most e-cigarette users also smoke conventional cigarettes. 

Drakeford said, “1.3 million e-cigarettes are thrown away every week, adding up to 10 tons of lithium per year.” He also suggested that the evidence on whether e-cigarettes play a significant role in smoking cessation may be less clear-cut than some people hope. “Most e-cigarette users are dual users, meaning they use e-cigarettes while also smoking cigarettes, and that does not reduce the harm caused by tobacco itself.” 

As e-cigarette use among students has been rising in many schools across Wales, new guidance has been issued to help headteachers address the issue. Public Health Wales hopes the new policy will help start discussions about the potential health effects of these devices.