Welsh Assembly Committee on Smoking in Public Places publishes its report.

The Welsh Assembly’s Committee on Smoking in Public Places published its report today (10th May 2005), recommending a complete ban on smoking in public places, with a few minor exceptions.
This recommendation is made in spite of the evidence presented to it by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA), FOREST – the smokers’ rights organisation, the Licensed Victuallers’ Association of Wales, and other representatives of the hospitality industry, all of which drew the Committee’s attention to the adverse economic and social consequences of a ban.
Tim Lord, chief executive of the TMA, said: “The conclusion of the report flies in the face of public opinion. The Beaufort Omnibus Survey undertaken for the Welsh Consumer Council in November 2004 found that most people wanted restrictions, not a total ban, and 17 per cent of those polled did not want any restrictions at all.
“Conclusions from a Populus Survey carried out in Cardiff in May 2004 showed that 77 per cent of people surveyed wanted a choice of smoking and non-smoking areas in pubs, bars and clubs. Only 21 per cent wanted a complete ban.
“Most people want choice not complete bans, and the Committee should have taken this into account when reporting its findings. We are disappointed that it has failed to listen to the people of Wales.”

Ends

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Gill Silverman
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Notes to Editors:
This press release is issued on behalf of the TMA’s principal member companies: Imperial Tobacco Ltd, Gallaher Ltd and British American Tobacco.