Officials at the National Assembly for Wales have reiterated their intention to go for a total smoking ban, following the Government’s decision to opt for a partial ban in England.

As part of the Health Bill, Wales will be given the power it currently lacks to introduce smoke-free legislation.

However, the country will not be able to start consulting on its proposals until the Health Bill receives Royal Assent, which is likely to be by the middle of 2006.

Realistically, the earliest Welsh ministers could introduce a total ban would be 2007.

In July of this year, Welsh health minister Brian Gibbons fully endorsed a report by the assembly’s committee on smoking which called for prohibition.

He said: “In coming to this conclusion I have taken particular note of the need to ensure that all workers are protected from second-hand smoke, including workers in the hospitality sector, many of whom have a particularly heavy risk of exposure.”

By Chris Druce

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