Wales gets closer to smoke-free public places

27 Oct 2005

Wales is now on the way to creating smoke-free enclosed public places Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons said today as the Health Bill was published.

The publication of the Bill means Wales is another step closer to receiving the powers it needs to implement an outright ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Dr Gibbons said: "Smoking is a major cause of a massive amount of needless suffering and deaths in Wales. Second hand smoke contributes to over 400 deaths each year. Adult non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke have a substantially increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease and chronic respiratory disease. Those are the facts, and we must act on them. By introducing comprehensive smoke-free provision in enclosed public places we are protecting those people who are currently exposed to the risks of second-hand smoke. I am sure this move will be welcomed by people across Wales.

"The publication of the Health Bill today is a welcome step in our plans to ban smoking in enclosed public places in Wales.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has already indicated its intention to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places and workplaces in Wales, as set out in my Cabinet Statement in July.

"A cross-party Assembly Committee has put forward its recommendations for how a ban could be implemented in Wales which was backed overwhelmingly in the National Assembly. This shows the support such a move has in Wales.

"Once the Bill has received Royal Assent we will consult on draft regulations for Wales at the earliest opportunity. This will allow all interested parties to give their views on the best way to implement a ban."