PLANS to enforce a ban on the use of e-cigarettes in a number of public places in Wales will be removed from Wales’ public health bill, says first minister Carwyn Jones.

Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Supplement show, Mr Jones stressed that the state of the Welsh Assembly following May’s election is the reason behind the removal of the e-cigarette ban.

The bill was tabled on the last day of the Welsh Assembly prior to May 5, but it was met with opposition from Plaid Cymru AMs.

"There is no point trying to bang our heads against a brick wall when it comes to e-cigs," said the first minister on the BBC.

"The public health bill will be brought back to the assembly but, clearly, there is no point including the provisions on e-cigs when we know they are not going to get through."

His Labour party no longer hold the majority within the Welsh Government, meaning he will need to secure the support of other parties to allow bills to pass.

Under the previous plans, the use of e-cigarettes would have been banned in: schools and educational establishments, places which serve food, hospitals aside from designated smoking areas, premises providing child care, public and school transport vehicles and transport hubs, namely bus and train stations.

The Public Health (Wales) Bill was rejected in the Assembly, after the presiding officer was required to vote after a tie, with 27 AMs voting against the plans and 26 AMs in favour.

Included on the bill, along with the measures on e-cigarette usage, were guidelines referring to compulsory licensing system for tattooists, prohibiting intimate piercing of children under 16 and a requirement for councils to produce a local toilets strategy.

Mr Jones also told the BBC that due to the new composition of the Welsh Assembly, Labour’s decision to reduce the number of local authorities in Wales from 22 may require a rethink, which were part of the local government reorganisation plans.

"Clearly, the map we published before the election that is not going to gain support across the assembly, that's obvious,” said the first minster.

"But we do need to find a way forward,” adding it would be wise for Labour to find ‘common ground’ with other parties within the Senedd.