HEALTH campaigners have welcomed a ban on unhealthy food and drinks promotions in Wales.

In a 25-24 vote on Tuesday evening, Senedd members narrowly backed plans to outlaw such offers, including buy-one-get-one-free deals, in a bid to tackle high obesity rates in Wales.

A Cancer Research UK spokesman welcomed the vote and said: “We know that obesity is the biggest cause of cancer after smoking and costs the Welsh economy around £3 billion annually.”

The new regulations are due to come into force in March 2026 and will  restrict the promotion and presentation of high fat, sugar and salt products by bigger retailers — those with 50 or more employees.

Small businesses will be exempt, but the restrictions will apply to shops that are part of a chain of 10 or more stores. 

The regulations will also stop fast-food chains running free-refill promotions on sugary drinks, end promotions at store entrances, aisle ends and checkouts and rule out meal deals on high fat, sugar and salt products.