A breath of fresh air as Wales goes smoke free
02 Apr 2007
Smoke-filled pubs, restaurants and workplaces will be consigned to the history books from today [Monday 2 April 2007] as the smoking ban in enclosed public places comes into force in Wales.
The National Assembly for Wales was the first administration in the UK to back a motion to end smoking in all enclosed public places in January 2003.
Wales’ First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: ''This is the single most important public health measure that the Assembly has introduced.
''Second-hand smoke in public places is estimated to cause 400 premature deaths a year. This is an unacceptable toll.
''There is now strong support and acceptance from businesses and members of the public alike in Wales for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. That support is gathering momentum as people become more aware of the damaging and deadly effects of breathing in second-hand smoke.
''Public awareness of the start of the ban is very high as a result of our biggest mass media advertising campaign to date.''
Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons said: ''Too many people suffer unnecessarily from the detrimental effects of second hand smoke. The statistics are startling. There is an estimated 24 per cent increased risk of lung cancer, and 25 per cent increased risk of heart disease in non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
''The new legislation will make an enormous difference to people who are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke in work, such as staff in pubs, nightclubs or bingo halls.
''We don't want to victimise smokers. But we want to ensure people are able to breathe cleaner, healthier smoke-free air in enclosed public places.
''We have been working closely with local authorities in Wales to develop a consistent approach to the enforcement of the new legislation. The intention is to create a supportive environment where people are encouraged to comply, as has been the case in Ireland and Scotland.''
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said: ''Giving up smoking can be hard, and I sympathise with smokers who find it difficult. Many smokers have told me that the ban today has given them the ideal opportunity to quit.
''To help people give up smoking, the Welsh Assembly Government has increased the level of funding to the All Wales Smoking Cessation Service by almost 50 per cent in order to cope with the increase in demand.
''This year, £1.374 million has been invested in the service compared with £984,000 in the previous year which helped recruit additional specialists in advance of the smoking ban. There will be further support in the next financial year as well.
''The service has increased telephone and email support, provided additional drop-in sessions, extra clinics as required, extension of staff hours and conversion to group sessions.''
The First Minister will welcome the new legislation at an event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay this morning, accompanied by Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons, Deputy Health Minister John Griffiths and Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell. The Cardiff Ardwyn Singers will also perform at the event, conducted by David Leggett. Singers necessarily need to be protective of their voices and the new legislation will be welcomed by many entertainers who have been exposed to second hand smoke through their work.
At lunchtime, Ministers, the Chief Medical Officer and representatives from Smoke Free Cardiff, the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health and Brains, will meet for a smoke-free lunch in one of Cardiff's pubs, The Halfway on Cathedral Road. The Halfway was refurbished last week and decided to ban smoking seven days before the new legislation takes effect.
