Today marks the fifth anniversary of the smoking ban in Wales.
The Welsh Government has announced the number of non-smokers exposed to other people’s smoke has fallen by half since the introduction of the ban in 2007.
Rates dropped from 66% in 2005/6 to 42% in 2007, the year the ban was introduced. The most recent figures report 33% being exposed on a regular basis.
Welsh Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Wales led the way on voting to ban smoking in public places, followed by the rest of the UK.
“The immediate impact of the ban was a sharp drop in non-smoking adults being regularly exposed to other people’s smoke, and recent figures suggest this initial decrease in exposure has become a welcome trend.
“While we respect the rights of adults who choose to smoke, we want to do all we can to protect those around them from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Most recently, we launched our Fresh Start campaign to try to stop people smoking in cars where children are present, and I have signalled my intention to consider legislation in this area if the campaign does not have enough of an impact.”
The Welsh Government also said the number of places complying with the ban is around 99%.
Between April 1 2010 to 31 March 2011, of 9,613 premises inspected 9,505 were compliant. During this period there were only four successful prosecutions.
Dr Tony Jewell, Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, said: “Breathing in other people’s smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease and other respiratory diseases in adult non-smokers.
“The ban on smoking in public places has been successful in protecting workers and the public from these serious risks.
“Research shows clear evidence of reduced exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, particularly in pubs, clubs, bars and at work. Encouragingly, studies have found no evidence of any shift in smoking to the home.
“Another positive side-effect of the ban has been to encourage smokers to give up. The Stop Smoking Wales service saw a 20% rise in referrals around the time when the legislation was introduced, and this increase in contact numbers has been sustained.
“70% of smokers report they would like to give up smoking, and 38% tried to do so last year, mainly for health reasons. We know it is hard to give up, but help is out there.”
Caerphilly’s Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert was on the original panel of AMs which recommended the ban be introduced.
He said: “I am proud that a Welsh Labour Government introduced this ban and we’ve built on that with a ban on selling cigarettes in vending machines and a campaign to stop people smoking in cars when children are present.
“The health risks of smoking are well known and it is not fair on non-smokers to be involuntarily exposed to those dangers.”