Smoking ban regulations move forward

28 Nov 2006

Following a comprehensive 12-week consultation the final draft smoke-free regulations were published today [28 November 2006] along with a full consultation report.

The consultation, which ran from July 21 to October 13, asked people for their views on a number of issues relating to the ban on smoking in enclosed public places. The consultation included issues such as definitions of "enclosed", proposed exemptions, signage requirements and enforcement arrangements. Throughout the consultation 129 responses were received from organisations and 59 were received from individuals.

Speaking ahead of the Health and Social Services Committee, who will scrutinise the regulations for the first time on Thursday 30 November, Deputy Health Minister John Griffiths said: “This consultation process has raised some interesting views from a range of people and organisations. The overwhelming majority of responses from NHS organisations, local government and the voluntary sector were strongly supportive of smoke-free legislation.

“Some concerns have been raised by various organisations and businesses about certain aspects of the regulations. These have been considered and the guidance which will be issued once the regulations are finalised will address these concerns.

“We are working hard to keep everyone informed of all developments related to the smoking ban and only last week over 150,000 business in Wales were sent leaflets with basic information outlining what the ban will mean for their business. As the regulations progress we will be keeping them informed via the smoking ban website (www.smokingbanwales.co.uk) and via further mailouts.

“We now have over 50 case studies on the website of businesses who have come forward to tell us how they have already gone smoke-free. They have all found it a positive move and I would encourage people to look at these to see how easy it is to do.

“I’m sure we are all aware of the damaging effects that second-hand smoke can have. The introduction of a ban on smoking in enclosed public places will help to avert approximately 400 deaths in non-smokers every year. This is a fact that cannot be ignored. I hope everyone now comes together to work towards a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places on 2 April 2007.”

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Notes:
The full consultation report can be found on www.smokingbanwales.co.uk
The draft regulations will go before the Health and Social Services Committee on 30 November 2006.
Following this they will go before the full Plenary session early in the new year.