The campaign group which commissioned the poll says it is the largest poll ever conducted on assisted dying in Wales and includes all age groups, socio-economic statuses, and voting intentions
Almost three-quarters of people in Wales back assisted dying being introduced in Wales, a poll has found.
The poll of 4,000 adults across Wales, conducted by Opinium for Dignity in Dying, found 72% support the legalisation of assisted dying compared with just 15% who oppose it. When asked: “To what extent would support or oppose making it legal for someone to seek ‘assisted dying’ in Wales how strong is your view?” 35% said “strongly support” and another 37% said “somewhat support”.
The support group says it is the largest poll ever conducted on assisted dying in Wales and includes all age groups, socio-economic statuses, and voting intentions.
The 4,000 people asked were over 18 and interviewed between December 23, 2025, and January 19, 2026. The key findings were:
- 72% supported the legalisation of assisted dying in Wales when asked: “To what extent would support or oppose making it legal for someone to seek ‘assisted dying’ in Wales and how strong is your view?”
- Three-quarters (76%) said if assisted dying were legal in England it should also be legal in Wales while only 12% disagreed.
- If assisted dying were legal 62% believe it should be accessible as part of NHS Wales services while just 17% think it should be delivered through a separate non-NHS service.
- If assisted dying were available through the NHS in England but not in Wales 41% said they would consider assisted dying and would be willing to travel to England to access NHS provision and 19% said they would consider assisted dying but would not be willing to travel.
- Views were evenly split on which level of government should be responsible for designing an assisted dying service in Wales. Around three in 10 favour the UK Government (31%) while a similar proportion prefer the Welsh Government (30%). A further quarter (25%) express no preference either way suggesting no clear public consensus on governance arrangements.
Senedd members will on Tuesday debate assisted dying in the Senedd. There are strong feelings on both sides of the debate. Noah Herniman is one of those campaigning for it saying he wants the same rules in place in Wales as in England.
But opposing it are a host of medical professionals. More than 250 of Wales’ leading medics have urged Senedd members not to back the proposed new assisted dying law.
The law, formally known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, would allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life.
It is a UK law which has to be passed by Westminster and not directly a matter devolved to Wales but it does have an impact on areas of politics which are devolved to Wales so a vote has to take place here too. Usually that is a formality but this looks at how assisted dying is delivered in Wales should the Terminally Ill Adults Bill pass.
The polling shows support for the law comes across the political spectrum with particularly strong backing among Plaid Cymru voters (78%) alongside Welsh Labour voters (77%), Green voters (85%), Welsh Conservative backers (67%), and Reform UK voters (70%) underlining that assisted dying is not a partisan issue but one that commands consistent high public support across party lines.
Just over three-quarters (76%) say that if assisted dying were legal in England it should also be legal in Wales.
If the Senedd votes to approve the legislative consent motion (LCM) this would enable assisted dying to be implemented in Wales in line with the legislation, including through NHS Wales, ensuring people in Wales have equal access to any service in line with those in England. Terminally ill individuals and affected families have warned MSs rejecting the LCM risks creating a system in which people in Wales face additional barriers including being forced to travel to England or rely on private providers at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
Chief executive of Dignity in Dying Sarah Wootton said the findings send a clear message to the Senedd. “This is the biggest poll ever carried out on assisted dying in Wales and it shows beyond doubt that not only do the public support reform, they want their political representatives to engage and actively shape a service fit for Wales,” she said.
“The legislative consent motion is not about the principle of assisted dying. It’s about fairness and equality for the people of Wales. It’s about ensuring the Senedd has the power to design a system that reflects Welsh values, serves the diverse communities of Wales, and is delivered through Welsh health systems.
“Voting it down won’t stop assisted dying from becoming law – it will only stop the Senedd from shaping it and deny dying Welsh people equal access to choice at the end of life.”
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