Vote on law that will ban smoking at school gates

A LAW banning smoking at school gates and place a duty on the Welsh Government to reduce obesity levels could be passed today.

Assembly Members will vote for the final time on the Public Health (Wales) Bill this afternoon which aims to improve and protect the nation’s health.

If passed, the legislation will make smoking in school grounds, public playgrounds and hospital grounds illegal.

It will also create a mandatory licensing scheme for “special procedures”, such as acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing, and prohibit the intimate piercing of anyone under 18.

The Bill will also place a duty on the Welsh Government to produce a national strategy on preventing and reducing obesity.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans said: “The Public Health (Wales) Bill is the latest in a long line of measures the Welsh Government has introduced to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.

“If passed, it will create the conditions which enable people to live healthy lives and will protect them from preventable harm.

“It has a particular focus on promoting children and young people’s health. Proposals such as the ban on smoking in school grounds, childcare settings and playgrounds are intended to prevent children from being exposed to smoking behaviours, making it less likely that they’ll take up smoking themselves.

“Today is an opportunity for us to pass a radical Welsh law that will meet the needs of people in Wales. I look forward to the vote later today.”

The first attempt at passing the legislation was defeated in March last year following a row between Labour and Plaid Cymru. Plaid voted against the Bill in a last-minute move, meaning the Assembly was tied 26-26 and the Bill failed to pass.

Their U-turn came after then Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said a previous deal with the party was a “cheap date”.

This second attempt to bring in the Bill also no longer includes a ban on e-cigarettes in some enclosed places.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said there was “no point trying to bang our heads against a brick wall when it comes to e-cigs”.