Welsh smoking ban comes into force
A ban on smoking in public places comes into force in Wales today, before it is extended to the rest of the UK over the coming months.
From 6am today, anyone caught smoking in enclosed public spaces, including bars and pubs, will be liable for a £50 on the spot fine. Those responsible for the premises could also face fines of up to £2,500.
Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan hailed the ban as the single most important public health measure introduced by the assembly. The assembly government estimates second-hand smoke in public places causes 400 premature deaths a year.
“This is an unacceptable toll”, added Mr Morgan.
The Welsh ban comes ahead of similar restrictions in Northern Ireland on April 30th and England on July 1st. Scots have already been banned from smoking in public places since March last year.
Wale’s health minister Brian Gibbons insisted people were prepared for the ban. “I would be shocked if there is anybody who this is likely to affect in Wales who doesn’t know that the ban is coming in,” he said.
Mr Gibbons argued: “There is not going to be a punitive, draconian approach to this.
“We felt as an assembly government we should strive to get this ban in place seeing as the view of the assembly has been known on this for quite a long time.”
However, pro-smoking group Forest opposes the ban and claims the “vast majority” of smokers will not quit.
“A consequence of the ban is that more people will smoke in the street, increasing cigarette litter, and more people may smoke at home in front of their children,” said Simon Clark of Forest.
“The best place to smoke is in a well-ventilated bar or restaurant but politicians have chosen to ignore what is blatantly obvious.”
Nevertheless, the British Medical Association (BMA) welcomed the ban. The BMA’s secretary in Wales Richard Lewis, said: “This is the greatest public health initiative in Wales for over a century. The BMA has campaigned hard for years for it.”
