Wales continues to stub it out

Support for smoke-free public places continues to grow amongst the Welsh public on the anniversary (Wednesday, 2 April) of the introduction of the smoke free legislation in Wales.

As the smoking ban enters its second year, public support for the legislation has increased, with 84 percent of adults in Wales now supporting smoke-free public places compared to 71 percent prior to the ban.  

Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales said:

The introduction of the smoking ban in enclosed public places has been a milestone for public health and the single most important measure that the Welsh Assembly Government could take to improve the health of the nation and reduce health inequalities.

The research shows that this has been a popular measure.  The widespread public acceptance of and support for the legislation reflects the impact of the Assembly Government’s campaign to raise public awareness of the health risks of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. The high rates of compliance are also due to the extensive work done by local authorities to inform and support businesses.

We are also seeing more smokers trying to give up.  The Assembly Government will continue to work with the National Public Health Service and the Smokers Helpline Wales to ensure that support is there for smokers who want to quit.

Through the Public Health Strategic Framework which is now being developed for Wales, we will be looking to reduce smoking rates further and to maintain and promote smoke-free environments.  Exposure of children to second-hand smoke in the home is still a matter of concern, and I am keen to see initiatives which will encourage smoke-free homes.

Since the ban was introduced only 79 individuals have been issued with fines for smoking in restricted areas. This reflects the good work carried out by local authorities to inform and support businesses to adapt and comply with the legislation. To date only one business has been prosecuted for allowing smoking in smoke-free premises.

Not only has the air quality of public places improved but according to the latest survey, 33 percent of smokers said that they were smoking fewer cigarettes and the Stop Smoking Wales helpline has experienced a 20 percent increase in the number of people contacting the service.

The Welsh Assembly Government expects the health implications of the ban to be similar to those in Scotland. Early research findings from Scotland, where smoke-free legislation came into force in March 2006, have been extremely positive. These include a 17 per cent reduction in heart attack admissions and an 86 per cent reduction in bar workers’ exposure to second-hand smoke. Exposure of children and adult non-smokers has fallen by 39 per cent.  

Andrew Davies AM said:
"Tobacco still poses a major risk to the health of the people of Wales. One in five deaths in Wales each year are due to smoking related disease such as lung and other cancers, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease.
The Welsh Assembly Government will continue to support smoke-free environments and is committed to providing support for smokers who want to give up".

back