Wales next to join smoking ban lobby?

It looks like the Welsh Assembly will follow in the footsteps of the Scottish Parliament with plans to bring in a total smoking ban with no exemptions.

Draft regulations were launched by Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons.

The Health Act (2006) has now received Royal Assent in the English Parliament leading the way for Wales to introduce a ban on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces by Summer 2007.

Dr Gibbons said: “Wales will soon join the growing list of countries where smoking is banned in all enclosed public places. We’re not here to victimise smokers but to ensure those who desire a smoke-free environment in public places should be entitled to one.” Meanwhile in England the Health Act is reaching its final consultation period.

The Association of Independent Specialist Tobacconists (AITS), in partnership with the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council (ITPAC) and fronted by Hunters & Frankau’s Simon Chase, has been battling to secure exemptions for smoking to be allowed to continue, in the interests of product tasting and testing, in specialist tobacconists shops.

AITS secretary Don Higgins said: “In England some concessions are under consultation.

It looks promising but we should certainly not start counting our chickens before they hatch.” The current estimate is that there are a total of only 45 specialist shops in England.

A shop qualifies for the title when more than half the sales derive from cigars, snuff, pipe tobaccos and smoking accessories.

The campaign has highlighted the plight of shops at each stage of the Health Bill’s passage through Parliament, and specialist tobacconists encouraged their customers to join a widespread card and internet petition backing the campaign directed at MPs.

The consultation is due to end on October 9, and the ban is expected to come into force during summer 2007.

Section : News

Page number : 4

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 9 on 18/09/2006.

This article is 70 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Wales next to join smoking ban lobby? It looks like the Welsh Assembly will follow in the footsteps of the Scottish Parliament with plans to bring in a total smoking ban with no exemptions. Draft regulations were launched by Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons. The Health Act (2006) has now received Royal Assent in the English Parliament leading the way for Wales to introduce a ban on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces by Summer 2007. Dr Gibbons said: “Wales will soon join the growing list of countries where smoking is banned in all enclosed public places. We’re not here to victimise smokers but to ensure those who desire a smoke-free environment in public places should be entitled to one.” Meanwhile in England the Health Act is reaching its final consultation period. The Association of Independent Specialist Tobacconists (AITS), in partnership with the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council (ITPAC) and fronted by Hunters & Frankau’s Simon Chase, has been battling to secure exemptions for smoking to be allowed to continue, in the interests of product tasting and testing, in specialist tobacconists shops. AITS secretary Don Higgins said: “In England some concessions are under consultation. It looks promising but we should certainly not start counting our chickens before they hatch.” The current estimate is that there are a total of only 45 specialist shops in England. A shop qualifies for the title when more than half the sales derive from cigars, snuff, pipe tobaccos and smoking accessories. The campaign has highlighted the plight of shops at each stage of the Health Bill’s passage through Parliament, and specialist tobacconists encouraged their customers to join a widespread card and internet petition backing the campaign directed at MPs. The consultation is due to end on October 9, and the ban is expected to come into force during summer 2007. By Section : News Page number : 4 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 9 on 18/09/2006. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 70 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.