Welsh Government urged to review the impact of the smoking ban in Wales

Fri 31st March, 2017

Campaigners have urged the Welsh Government to review the impact of the smoking ban in Wales and consider an amendment to the legislation that would allow separate, well-ventilated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs.

The call comes on the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban in Wales (2 April).

Simon Clark, director of the smokers group Forest, said: "There should be a proper independent review of the impact of the smoking ban in Wales.

"This is not just about health. It's also about choice and jobs. The smoking ban has had a devastating impact on hundreds of pubs in Wales, many of which closed as a direct result of the legislation.

"We're not suggesting a return to the days of smoke-filled pubs. Instead we want the Welsh Government to give pubs and clubs the option of having a well-ventilated designated smoking room that can accommodate smokers without inconveniencing non-smokers.

"The law went too far and should be amended because tobacco is a legal product and smokers must be allowed to light up in some public places at the discretion of the proprietor."

The call for a review of the ban follows a poll, published this week, that found that almost 60% of adults in Wales would allow smoking rooms in pubs and clubs (Wales Online).

The Populus survey, commissioned by Forest, found that 58 per cent of the public think pubs and private members’ clubs should be allowed to provide well-ventilated, designated smoking rooms to accommodate smokers, with only 37 per cent opposed to the idea.

Women (56 per cent) were just as likely as men (59 per cent) to think pubs and clubs should be allowed to accommodate smokers in a designated smoking room.

Three-quarters (76 per cent) of smokers think that pubs and private members’ clubs should be allowed to provide a smoking room, compared to half of non-smokers (51 per cent).

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