NEW Wales-only health regulations due to be voted on by AMs today, Tuesday, will “enable people to live healthy lives”, a Welsh minister has said.

The Public Health (Wales) Bill includes a range of measures such as banning smoking in school and hospital grounds and playgrounds as well as prohibiting piercing of ‘intimate’ areas such as the tongue and genitals for under-16s, and is due to be signed off this afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the debate Wales’ minister for social services and public health Rebecca Evans said: “The Public Health (Wales) Bill is the latest in a long line of measures the Welsh Government has introduced to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.

“If passed, it will create the conditions which enable people to live healthy lives and will protect them from preventable harm.

“It has a particular focus on promoting children and young people’s health.”

To view the full bill visit senedd.assembly.wales.