Smoking ban in Wales to start on April 2 » Health » 24dash.com

Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons applauded “the single most important public health measure” that the Assembly has addressed, as the final regulations were passed on a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public places in Wales.

Welsh Assembly Members voted in favour of the regulations and a ban will take effect in Wales on Monday April 2, 2007.

Dr Gibbons said: “We are appalled at the hundreds of deaths, needless suffering and inequalities in health that follow from second-hand smoke.

“The clear lead by this Assembly on taking action on the dangers of second hand smoke helped galvanize the UK parliament into introducing a comprehensive ban in England, which will take effect in July.

“The health benefits of smoke-free public places are already apparent in Ireland and Scotland where public support has grown since their bans.  We look forward to ensuring these benefits for Wales at the earliest opportunity.”

A guidance pack and signage will now be distributed to businesses in Wales ahead of the introduction of the ban. 

Information leaflets about the ban were sent to more than 150,000 businesses in Wales in November. 

Information is also available on the smoking ban website, www.smokingbanwales.co.uk, which is receiving more than 55,000 page requests a month.

Every household in Wales will receive an information leaflet about the ban in March and a TV, radio and poster advertising campaign will be released in the next two months.

The Minister added: “Long term exposure to second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer, heart disease and ban respiratory illness among non-smokers. 

“The most compelling reason for introducing the as soon as possible is that experts estimate at least 400 non-smokers die each year in Wales as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke.

“We know that many smokers want to quit but find it extremely difficult.  There has never been a better time to give up for good when the ban comes into force in April.

“To help people give up smoking, we have 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 which the smoking ban is anticipated to generate.

“This year, £1.374 million has been invested in the service compared with £984,000 in the previous year to help recruit six additional specialists in advance of the smoking ban.  There will be a further increase 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. These measures should ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet the anticipated increase in demand.”