Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales AM Dr Dai Lloyd argued today that if the National Assembly had the powers needed to deliver for the people of Wales the nation would have banned smoking ahead of its Celtic cousins rather than following them. The South Wales West AM said:

"The National Assembly committee recommends a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. The strength of evidence shows that passive smoking kills, and ventilation doesn't work. The carcinogens are still in place even with the most sophisticated ventilation."

"The voluntary codes don't work. Fewer than 25 pubs out of 3,000 in Wales are non-smoking using the voluntary code. Recent medical evidence shows that 30 people a day in the UK are killed by other people's smoke."

"The National Assembly originally voted in favour of a ban ahead of our Celtic cousins in Ireland and Scotland, but the absence of powers means we are impotent to do anything."

Diwedd/Ends