History of the smoking ban in Wales
The smoke-free legislation was introduced in Wales on April 2nd 2007 and is the culmination of activity involving many people over a number of years. This section aims to give you a very brief outline of where we are at present and how we got to this stage.
On 21st July 2006, the Welsh Assembly Government launched a public consultation on draft smoke-free regulations for Wales. The regulations cover issues such as exemptions to the ban on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, the no-smoking signage requirements and the arrangements for enforcement of the ban. The twelve-week consultation ended on 13th October 2006.
On completion of the consultation, the regulations were scrutinised by Assembly Committees before being put to the Assembly for approval. Assembly Members voted in favour of the regulations on the 30th January 2007.
How did we get to where we are today?
Below are some key milestones in the development of the legislation to date:
2nd April 2007- Smoking Ban came into force in Wales.
4th February 2007 – Try it campaign begins. Businesses across Wales will be encouraged to ban smoking for a designated period - an hour, day, week, month or permanently - to give themselves an opportunity to focus on the preparations required and the implications of operating smoke-free premises, in advance of the legislative deadline.
30th January 2007 – Assembly Members voted in favour of the regulations.
28th November 2006 – The final draft smoke-free legislations are published.
13th October 2006 – Public consultation ended.
19th Sept 2006 – First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced that the new law in Wales will come into force on 2nd April 2007.
21st July 2006 – Launch of public consultation on the draft Smoke-Free Premises etc. (Wales) Regulations
18th July 2006 - The Health Bill enabling the Welsh Assembly to make regulations for smoke-free public places and workplaces completes its consideration by Parliament.
Oct 2005 – The Health Bill is published and presented to Parliament. It makes provision for the Welsh Assembly to make regulations for smoke-free public places, workplaces and vehicles.
July 2005 – The Health Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, announces that the Welsh Assembly Government accepts the recommendations made by the Assembly Committee on Smoking in Public Places
June 2005 - UK Department of Health and the Wales Office launch a public consultation on the smoke-free elements of the Health Bill. This proposes that the Welsh Assembly Government should be enabled to make its own provision for smoke-free public places in accordance with the policy it determines on this issue.
May 2005 - Publication of the Report of the Assembly Committee on Smoking in Public Places, recommending that the Welsh Assembly Government should seek powers to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces.
Nov 2004 - UK Government publishes "Choosing Health" White Paper. This makes a commitment to introduce legislation to limit environmental tobacco smoke and proposes that devolved administrations should have the opportunity to take forward their own legislative proposals.
June 2004 – An all-party committee is set up by the National Assembly for Wales, to gather evidence, consult and make recommendations on a smoking ban in public places.
Jan 2003 – The National Assembly for Wales votes in favour of an all party motion calling upon the UK Government to bring forward a Bill giving Wales the powers to introduce a smoking ban in public places.
