The Welsh government has confirmed it will implement the UK government’s proposed regulation for standardised packaging of all cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products.
Last week, the UK government confirmed its plans to introduce legislation for plain packaging for tobacco products.
Scotland and Northern Ireland governments are yet to confirm their consent to the regulation.
Wales Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford said: "I have today written to the UK Government's Public Health Minister confirming my approval that proposed regulations to introduce standardised packaging for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco will apply in Wales.
"The Welsh government will continue to work to reduce smoking levels in Wales to 16% by 2020."
Subject to MP vote, the regulation is likely to take effect in 2016 along with the European tobacco products directive.
The directive will include tobacco control measures such as health warning pictures, ban on flavourings, and packaging controls to combat illicit trade.
Tobacco firms will be required to ban cigarette branding and implement cigarette packaging with certain mandatory colours and text and required markings such as health warnings.
More than a fifth of adults admitted to smoking in 2013, according to the latest Welsh Health Survey, which is a considerable drop on the same figures in 2012.
Image: The plain cigarette packaging will have mandatory colors, specified text and markings such as health warnings and fiscal marks. Photo: courtesy of Crown copyright / UK Government.
