Speculation the Welsh Assembly plans to outlaw smoking in pubs by the end of the year are unfounded, according to officials.

It had been reported in The Publican newspaper that Wales would look to trump England's mid-2007 ban on smoking in enclosed public places, much to the consternation of pub associations, which complained they would not have enough time to adjust.

But a spokeswoman for Wales’s Department of Health and Social Services said such a timetable would not be feasible.

“If we can do it early we will, but we never said we would do it before the end of the year,” said the spokeswoman.

Although the Assembly voted for a blanket ban on smoking in public places last May, it must wait for the Health Bill to receive Royal Assent before it has the power to act.

Once this is granted (expected this summer) the ban proposals still have to go through a two-to-three month consultation, before passing through various committees on its way to becoming law.

By Angela Frewin

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.