Eleanor Burnham Welcomes a Smoke-Free North Wales (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Eleanor Burnham Welcomes a Smoke-Free North Wales

April 2, 2007 12:01 AM

Eleanor Burnham AM has welcomed the All-Wales ban on smoking in public places and workplaces as ushering in a new smoke-free North Wales.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, has given her full support to the ban, which will protect thousands of people throughout North Wales from the effects of second-hand smoke.

Ms Burnham said: "This ban is going to be of such great benefit to people across North Wales. I believe that nobody has the right to impose their smoking on another person. The ban will provide freedom for those who currently do not have a say over whether they are inhaling passive smoke in public places.

"Obviously, this ban is especially import for the staff who work in bars, pubs and clubs, who will no longer have to put up with customers' smoke while they are working.

"Second-hand smoke is thought to cause over 400 deaths among non-smokers every year from lung cancer, respiratory illnesses and heart disease.

"I would hope that the ban will have an effect in reducing the cases of these and other diseases that we currently see in Wales as a result of smoking and passive smoke. The benefits to those who will no longer have to breathe in second-hand smoke in my mind outweigh the marginal impact on businesses.

"I am confident that with the right support and advice from the Assembly Government, many businesses will be able to adapt to the ban without trouble.

"We have already seen the evidence of the benefits of smoking bans elsewhere. In Ireland the amount of people who smoke regularly is now just 25%, down from 31% in 1998 and in New South Wales restaurants have shown businesses have little reason to fear a huge drop in takings. There 76% restaurants reported normal trade, 14% increased trade and just 9% reduced trade after their ban came into effect.

"April 2nd is the beginning of an exciting new smoke-free era for people in North Wales."

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