Kirsty Williams welcomes smoking ban (Kirsty Williams AM )

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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Kirsty Williams welcomes smoking ban

September 26, 2006 8:49 AM

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the news that the Assembly is to ban smoking in all public places and workplaces in Wales from 2nd April 2007.

The ban has received cross-party support in the Assembly and is aimed at reducing the 400 deaths in Wales each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Ms Williams said: "This ban will make a real positive impact on the health of people in Wales. We have been seeking the power to implement such a ban for nearly four years, and I think this gives a real taste of what the Assembly could achieve when it receives its enhanced powers next year.

"I am acutely aware, however, that businesses and individuals will need time to adjust, and that the timetable is going to be quite tight. I hope that the Government will be swift in providing detailed information about the ban so that all the necessary preparations can be made."

Notes:

Following the Assembly's vote to seek powers to implement a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Wales in 2003, and its support in 2005 of the Committee on Smoking in Public Places recommendation of a comprehensive ban, the Health Minister announced last week his aim to implement a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces in Wales with effect from Monday 2nd April 2007. The full text of his statement is available from www.wales.gov.uk.