The man responsible for overseeing the public smoking ban in Wales is to retire in the summer.
Dr Tony Jewell has announced he will retire after six years as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Wales.
The CMO provides independent professional advice and guidance on health and healthcare matters to the First Minister and other Welsh Government ministers and to the National Assembly for Wales.
Dr Jewell has been a strong voice on reducing smoking in the Welsh community. This included managing the introduction on the ban on smoking in the workplace, public places, pubs and restaurants.
Further tobacco control work includes restricting the sale of tobacco from vending machines and advocating for the UK’s first legislation banning smoking in confined spaces such as cars.
Dr Jewell said: “It has been an enormous privilege to hold the position of CMO. When I was appointed I said I would undertake the role for five years and so I feel that the time is right to move on.
“I’d like to thank all the staff who have supported me during my time as CMO.
I am proud of what’s been achieved during my tenure and they have been instrumental in those successes.
“I’m particularly proud that public health now plays a much more influential role in the NHS than ever before.
“In particular, the restructuring of the NHS saw Directors of Public Health appointed in every organisation and the creation of Public Health Wales has cemented health protection, promotion and prevention as vital for a sustainable, healthier Wales.
“Strategies such as Our Healthy Future have also laid the foundations for the NHS to place a greater emphasis on prevention and promotion and focusing on making the NHS a ‘wellness’ service rather than a sickness service. Only by focusing on prevention can we tackle the big public health issues such as smoking, obesity and alcohol and make the NHS more efficient.”
Dr Jewell will retire next summer but said he intends to continue to contribute to public health internationally, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Tony has played a leading role in terms of developing Wales’ reputation as a country which follows progressive public health policies.
“In particular, his recommendations on protecting children from the effects of smoking was the main reason I proposed legislation if we do not achieve a further fall in smoking rates.
“I have been hugely grateful for Tony’s advice and wish him all the best for the future.”