Smoking and Health CPG: A Polluter Pays Approach
Schedule
Tue Feb 10 2026 at 09:30 am to 10:30 am
UTC+00:00Location
The Senedd - Ty Hywel - Conference Room C&D | Cardiff, WA
Learning from experts to gather evidence and explore how a tobacco levy could support services in WalesAbout this Event
As Wales works towards a Smokefree future, the Smoking and Health Cross-Party Group will convene an evidence-gathering discussion on the potential role of a polluter pays tobacco levy.
The CPG will hear expert evidence from Dr Rob Branston (University of Bath) on proposals to hold the tobacco industry financially accountable for the harms caused by its products, including options for levies on industry profits and mechanisms to prevent costs being passed on to consumers.
The session will explore the rationale, design and impact of tobacco levies, drawing on learning from other sectors, including experience of levy approaches within the gambling arena.
Open discussion will consider how a tobacco levy could:
- Support sustainable funding for smoking prevention, cessation and treatment services
- Address health inequalities linked to smoking
- Strengthen Wales’ preparedness to influence and implement future UK-wide policy
The discussion will focus on gathering evidence, exploring possibilities and learning from experience, with the aim of shaping robust recommendations to inform future policy development and provide clarity and direction for service providers.
This is a hybrid event with booking available online and in person.
(NB: This meeting will also include the Cross Party Group AGM.)
Agenda
đź•‘: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Cross Party Group on Smoking and Health
Info: Smoking & Health CPG
Agenda – Evidence Gathering on a Tobacco Industry Levy
Tuesday 10 February | 09:30–10:30 | Hybrid (Tŷ Hywel / Online)
Time Item
09:30 Welcome and introductions – Chair
09:35 AGM
i) Apologies
ii) Nomination of office holders (Chair & Secretary)
iii) Vote for office holders
iv) Accounts
09:40 Welcome and context setting – ASH Wales Cymru
09:45 Expert evidence: A polluter pays approach to tobacco control Dr Rob Branston, University of Bath
10:05 Learning from levy approaches in other sectors - Third sector perspectives, including gambling-related experience
10:15 Discussion and questions
Where is it happening?
The Senedd - Ty Hywel - Conference Room C&D, Pierhead Street, Cardiff, United KingdomGBP 0.00
