Doctors say stronger action is needed against smoking in public

The British Medical Association has challenged anti-smoking government minister Alun Pugh to declare tobacco out of bounds at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Mr Pugh, who was recently made culture minister in the Welsh Assembly Government, has previously indicated his support for a smoking ban in all public places.

Now officials of BMA Cymru Wales say he has an ideal opportunity to send out the message that smoking kills and that passive smoking also has a dramatic effect on health.

The centre is being built next door to the assembly in Cardiff Bay and is due to open next year.

Three million people are still exposed to tobacco smoke in the course of their work and entertainment Dr Bob Broughton

Dr Bob Broughton, Welsh secretary of the BMA, said: "Tobacco smoke is a potent cocktail of over 4,000 toxins, more than 50 of which cause cancer.

"Evidence has existed since 1983 that passive smoking harms health and yet the Government has only focussed on voluntary measures to curb smoking in public places. It's not enough."

'Life-threatening'

Mr Pugh, the assembly member for Clwyd West, put forward a motion in January calling for the UK Government to allow the assembly to ban all smoking in public buildings.

Alun Pugh wants assembly power to ban smoking in public buildings

The motion said that would reduce the exposure of employees and public to the "well-documented and proven life-threatening dangers caused by environmental tobacco smoke".

It was backed 39-10 by AMs, with four abstentions.

The anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health, or Ash, later applauded AMs.

Naomi King, director of Ash in Wales, said at the time: "This is a very important public health issue. Alun Pugh and his colleagues are to be congratulated for bringing this before the Assembly."

Clean air

The BMA has called for a smoking ban in public places for many years, and it has urged Mr Pugh to put his beliefs into action now that he is in the cabinet.

Dr Broughton said 86% of the public recently gave their backing to smoking restrictions at work.

"And yet three million people are still exposed to tobacco smoke in the course of their work and entertainment," he said.

Dr Broughton said the Millennium Centre would welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors, including a large percentage of children.

"Performers too, especially singers whose instruments are their voices, would benefit," he said.

"Providing them with a clean air environment can only be of benefit to their comfort and health."