Wales seeks smoking ban powers

Ministers in the Cardiff assembly have reaffirmed their intention to seek powers to enable a ban on smoking in public places in Wales.

Speaking at a meeting of British and Irish parliamentarians on Tuesday, Jane Hutt said she was "committed in principle" to a ban.

The health minister said that a committee had been established to examine how the ban could be implemented "as and when" the powers become available.

Her comments came a day after ministers in London were accused of covering up a report showing the damage to public health caused by passive smoking.

Hutt told fellow parliamentarians, gathered for talks in Chepstow, that tobacco use is "the major preventable cause of illness and premature death in the world today".

"Smoking not only affects smokers but non-smokers too," she said.

"Countless studies have concluded that there are clear health risks to non-smokers from exposure to the carcinogens and other toxic compounds that are present in second-hand smoke."

The minister also pledged to learn from the public smoking ban implemented in Ireland and Norway.

"We are fortune to be able to learn from their success at implementing this, in terms of leadership, public support, the timeframe required, the need for public education and issues around enforcement," she said.

There was also support for her position from Plaid Cymru.

Addressing the same gathering, South Wales West assembly member Dr Dai Lloyd said public health was being put at risk by the assembly's lack of power.

"The Republic of Ireland has been successful in banning smoking in bars and pubs," he said.

"Why should people's health be put at risk in Wales because of a lack of powers in the national assembly?"

In January last year the Cardiff assembly voted in favour of a motion calling upon the UK government to give the assembly powers to ban smoking in public places.

Hutt said the assembly and its ministers would "gather evidence and consult widely on how we would use such powers as and when they become available".