Jenny Randerson Welcomes a Smoke-Free Cardiff

11.25.09am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Mar 2007

Smoking Ban commences on the 2nd April

Jenny Randerson AM has welcomed the All-Wales ban on smoking in public places and workplaces as ushering in a new smoke-free Cardiff.

Jenny Randerson, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, has given her support to the ban, which will protect the people of Cardiff from the effects of second-hand smoke.

Jenny said: "This ban is going to be liberating to people across Cardiff. The ban will provide freedom for those who currently do not have a say over whether they are inhaling passive smoke in enclosed public places.

"Obviously, this ban is especially import for the staff who work in smoky environments."

"Second-hand smoke is thought to cause hundreds of 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 outweigh the limited negative effects.

"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 Cardiff."

Ends/diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood 02920 898324