The Health Act 2006 devolved powers to the National Assembly for Wales to make regulations for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Wales. This ban came into effect on 2nd April 2007. This mirrors the ban already in place in Scotland and Southern Ireland. The ban, this week, also took hold in Northern Ireland with Engalnd to follow in July 2007.
Here in Wales we've had the ban for one month - so what has happened in the workplace and of an evening in the pub. Well even though it is only a month my experience is that I have notcied a large number of people who have taken the ban as the incentive they needed to give up smoking. I would think the sale of patches and chewing gum has gone up dramatically in Wales in the last 4 weeks.
Call of the Wild own two bars - Merlins and the Bryn. We have seen no marked decrease in turnover since the introduction of the ban. Actually we have seen new faces who have commeneted that they have come back to pubs as a direct result of the ban.
In a work context we have seen no difference in working practices. We have come across some stories where some smokers are asking for better facilities at the workplace to meet their needs such as better outside seating, patio heaters etc. However I have read that in some places this has led to resentment from the non-smokers who have also asked for relaxation areas.
Watch this space!
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