Doctors stub out smoke law myths

April 28, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE

Leading doctors have stepped up their campaign to see the Welsh assembly call for a smoking ban in Wales.

BMA Wales has published a report aimed at the "myths" it said the pro-smoking lobby had told to oppose legislation.

The assembly does not have the power to bring in a smoking ban but has set up a committee to look at the evidence.

BMA Wales said its report, Behind the Smokescreen, would "clear the air" on the evidence presented to the AMs sitting on the assembly's committee.

The report claims evidence shows that passive smoking increases the risk of lung cancer in non smokers by 20-30%.

It also claims that evidence from Ireland, which brought in a ban last year, shows that banning smoking in public places does not increase smoking in homes.

Doctors said they hope now that the Welsh Assembly Government, which voted for a ban in 2003, will be given the powers to pass the legislation.

Dr Tony Calland, Chairman of the BMA's Welsh Council said: "If the health of the people of Wales is a priority for politicians, then a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places is the only answer."

James Johnson, chairman of the BMA, said: "Recent research reports that passive smoking kills 30 people each day. The true cost of delaying legislation is not financial, it is human. With the general election only a week away the BMA strongly urges all political parties to read this report.

"The case for a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public places has never been better made."