Morgan tries for Welsh smoking ban
A bid to give the Welsh Assembly the power to introduce its own smoking ban in public places was launched yesterday.
Julie Morgan, Labour MP for Cardiff North and wife of First Minister Rhodri Morgan, formally launched her Private Member’s Bill which aims to give the Welsh Assembly the power to ban smoking.
It is, however, unlikely to become law unless the Government decides to back the bill.
Health Secretary John Reid is proposing a partial ban on smoking in public places in England and Wales, with smoking to be banned in all places serving food.
The Welsh Assembly has already voted for a complete ban, but it does not have the power to introduce one unilaterally.
Mrs Morgan said her bill would speed up the process of handing over devolved power.
“The white paper would give the power to Wales, but that is dependent on if and when legislation is introduced, whereas it can be done quickly with a private members’ bill,” Mrs Morgan said.
Ms Morgan has the support of the British Medical Association, the British Heart Foundation and a host of charities and pressure groups opposed to smoking in public places.
BMA Welsh secretary, Dr Richard Lewis, said: “While waiting for the English public health bill to wind its way through the Westminster processes, Welsh men and women are dying of cancer. If we can show London politicians that the people of Wales want the right to breathe smoke-free air, we will have succeeded.”
Peter Hollins, director general of the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support Julie Morgan’s private member’s bill. There is widespread support for this action from the medical community and the public based on strong evidence of the dangers of passive smoking.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, has pledged to introduce a “comprehensive” ban by the middle of next year. Under the Scottish devolution settlement, approval from Westminster is not required.
