Wales has announced plans to become a smoking-free nation by the end of the decade.
With strong links between smoking and deprivation the Welsh Government wants to tackle health inequalities and increase support for those wanting to quit.
However not everyone is a fan of the proposals with questions surrounding if health should take priority over an individual right of choice.
We asked if people thought the plans were a good idea on our Facebook page and it's fair to say it split opinion.
Petula Jones asked: "What is this world coming to?" It was an opinion shared by several others who felt the idea was too overbearing on an individual's rights. She added: "Just tell us how high to jump and do you honestly think we will? What is our country thinking? So sad."
Similar thoughts were shared by Craig Millington who argued people should be able to spend their hard-earned money on whatever they want. He commented: "People work hard for the money they get. What right do you have to tell them what they can spend it on or is that the plan make everything so expensive everyone will have to rely on government money then you will be able to tell us what we can and can't buy with said money?"
Others believed the aim to make Wales a smoke-free nation by 2030 was unrealistic with several saying: "Good luck with that one". Dee Myfanwy Watts questioned if the ban would lead to further action elsewhere, postingL "If people want to smoke they'll smoke and are you going to aim to stop people smoking wacky baccy too?"
With high tax rates and duty payable on cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products people questioned the economic outcome of the country going smoke-free. John Scott argued: "Not in anyone's lifetime, they need the taxes from it." He added: " have been smoking for 50 years it will not stop, they will cost a lot of money in years to come but as I said stop taking the taxes on everything and then see what happens."
Don't sell them in shops
Many smokers argued if the Welsh Government wanted the country to be smoke-free then the products should not be stocked within shops. Mark Phillips said: "I smoke, if you don't want us to be smoke-free don't sell them in shops" to which Zoie Kairo Kennedy replied: "Don't say that! They may do that. I turn into the Hulk without a cigarette."
Anne Dams also shared similar thoughts believing the only way the nation would be smoke-free by 2030 was "to make cigarettes illegal in Wales".
Others also commented that the tax on the products was the main reason behind them not being fully banned. Gemma Jones said: "If you want us to stop smoking then stop selling them – oh no! You make too much tax on them. Why not get rid of alcohol, pubs, takeaways at the same time?"
Responding to Gemma's comments others were quick to point out additional taxes could end up arriving in the future. Paul Reed said: "Don't give them ideas" and suggested fish and chip shops could face similar taxes for being considered unhealthy.
It's a person's right to do whatever they want
Non-smokers even expressed concerns surrounding the the aim, arguing people could choose whatever they wanted to do as long as it was within the law. Natalie Jayne Jones said: "I don't smoke but surely it's a person's right to do whatever they want to do, whether that be smoking, drinking, or anything else that isn't illegal?"
A common trend within the comments was speculation surrounding the justification behind the smoking-free aim. It is estimated that the Welsh NHS spends approximately £302m on smoking-related illness and disease each year. Smoking is still the number one cause of death and disease in Wales and is considered to be one of the leading causes of health inequalities in the nation.
However Sam Slade questioned the decision and argued: "Obesity costs the NHS three times the amount of smoking illnesses yet little has been done to stop that?"
Mccauley Britton said: "To be honest smoking does zero good does it so no-one can even defend this". When questioned on his stance Mccauley added: "Imagine how much money the NHS would be saving due to the dropped number of people ill with smoking-related illness."
Indeed several people argued a successful outcome would be a positive result for our future healthcare. Liam Donnan responded to the post arguing "everyone expects free healthcare too" and argued the financial burden outweighs the tax gained from tobacco: "The amount of chronic diseases it causes they'll probably be quids in. Far less people smoke over the last 20 years and they're still trying to reduce smoking so it must cost more than it makes in tax."
Some saw the funny side
A few comments on the post found it was the perfect opportunity to showcase their sense of humour. Tony Matthews argued: "There will always be butts in Wales."
And Ken Lewis suggested the country would be making another pledge by 3020 with the removal of potholes. Now that's a cause we can all agree on.
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