The Protection from Tobacco (Sales from Vending Machines) (Wales) Regulations 2011 are designed to protect children and young people by restricting access to tobacco.
Such a ban has been in force in England since 1 October, and Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Most smokers start during adolescence. Two thirds of adults who have ever smoked say they started before they were 18.
“A voluntary code has not been effective in sufficiently restricting young people’s access to tobacco from vending machines. I am therefore pleased that we are able to introduce regulations banning the sale of tobacco from vending machines in Wales as part of our wider effort to safeguard children and young people from the dangers of smoking.”