The bill, which is currently being considered by the House of Lords, will see all young people born on or after 1 January 2009 unable to purchase any tobacco products.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will strengthen protections for young people by introduction stricter rules around vapes including the advertising of nicotine and vape products, will strengthen the tools available to enforcement officers, particularly through a new licensing scheme for anyone who wants to sell tobacco or vape products in the future.

Trading Standards Wales will be supported with more than £650,000 of Welsh Government funding to implement the measures to tackle illegal tobacco and vapes in Wales over the next three years, including the recruitment and training of five apprentices to assist with enforcement activity.

Sarah Murphy, mental health and wellbeing minister, said: ‘This is a historic day for public health in Wales. Despite the real progress we have made to reduce smoking levels, tobacco continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable disease and premature death in Wales.

‘The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides us with a unique opportunity to tackle smoking and the growing issue of youth vaping.

‘It is an opportunity to comprehensively and significantly improve public health in Wales and the wider UK.'

Chief medical officer for Wales, Professor Isabel Oliver, added: ‘Tobacco addiction kills thousands in Wales every year and continues to reinforce existing health inequalities.

‘This bill offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to break that cycle and protect future generations from a product that has caused immeasurable harm.'