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E-cigarette ban in enclosed spaces in Wales pushes ahead E-cigarette ban in enclosed spaces in Wales pushes ahead
(about 1 hour later)
People will be banned from using e-cigarettes in enclosed places such as restaurants, pubs and at work in Wales, under a new public health law.People will be banned from using e-cigarettes in enclosed places such as restaurants, pubs and at work in Wales, under a new public health law.
The plan, likely to come into force in 2017, has already divided opinion among health and medical groups, including some anti-smoking campaigners. The plan, likely to come into force in 2017 and the first in the UK, has already divided opinion among health and medical groups, including some anti-smoking campaigners.
But ministers say it is a "balance of risk" and will stop children smoking.But ministers say it is a "balance of risk" and will stop children smoking.
All tattoo and piercing parlours will also need licences under the Public Health Bill. Tattoo parlours will also need licences under the Public Health Bill.
In taking the decision to bring in the e-cigarette ban, ministers have argued they not want to take the risk of seeing smoking "normalised" again after the success of the smoking ban.
The new tobacco and e-cigarette measures will mean:The new tobacco and e-cigarette measures will mean:
This final measure is proving the most controversial and is likely to come into force in 2017, but a precise date has not been given.This final measure is proving the most controversial and is likely to come into force in 2017, but a precise date has not been given.
Public Health Wales, local health boards and the BMA are in favour of the e-cigarettes curbs.Public Health Wales, local health boards and the BMA are in favour of the e-cigarettes curbs.
But anti-smoking campaign group ASH Wales, Cancer Research UK and Tenovus are among those opposed and the British Heart Foundation, British Lung Foundation and Royal College of Physicians want more evidence.But anti-smoking campaign group ASH Wales, Cancer Research UK and Tenovus are among those opposed and the British Heart Foundation, British Lung Foundation and Royal College of Physicians want more evidence.
In a public consultation on the proposals last year, 79% of responses were opposed.In a public consultation on the proposals last year, 79% of responses were opposed.
There have been concerns that it might make it more difficult for smokers using e-cigarettes as a way of stopping.There have been concerns that it might make it more difficult for smokers using e-cigarettes as a way of stopping.
George Butterworth, tobacco policy manager for Cancer Research UK, said there was no evidence of normalisation of e-cigarettes with young people - and those using them were "very, very small numbers".George Butterworth, tobacco policy manager for Cancer Research UK, said there was no evidence of normalisation of e-cigarettes with young people - and those using them were "very, very small numbers".
"Those that are, are the type of people who would try alcohol or tobacco cigarettes anyway - so without that evidence we wouldn't support a ban on the use of e-cigarettes indoors under the idea of normalisation," he said."Those that are, are the type of people who would try alcohol or tobacco cigarettes anyway - so without that evidence we wouldn't support a ban on the use of e-cigarettes indoors under the idea of normalisation," he said.
"E-cigarettes are an opportunity for people to move away from tobacco smoking which is very, very bad for their health, and we wouldn't want to put up any barriers to prevent people from quitting cigarettes. ""E-cigarettes are an opportunity for people to move away from tobacco smoking which is very, very bad for their health, and we wouldn't want to put up any barriers to prevent people from quitting cigarettes. "
AnalysisAnalysis
By Hugh Pym, BBC News health editorBy Hugh Pym, BBC News health editor
Some will say this is a good example of devolution in action.Some will say this is a good example of devolution in action.
Welsh health officials and legislators have decided that the potential risks of e-cigarettes require them to be treated in the same way as tobacco smoking with a ban on their use in the workplace, pubs, restaurants and other public amenities.Welsh health officials and legislators have decided that the potential risks of e-cigarettes require them to be treated in the same way as tobacco smoking with a ban on their use in the workplace, pubs, restaurants and other public amenities.
Their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not feel the same way. That's the nature of devolved government and national democracy within the UK.Their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not feel the same way. That's the nature of devolved government and national democracy within the UK.
Consumers, however, may feel confused.Consumers, however, may feel confused.
If it's permitted in much of the UK, why does one nation decree that the use of e-cigarettes is harmful enough to ban usage other than on private property?If it's permitted in much of the UK, why does one nation decree that the use of e-cigarettes is harmful enough to ban usage other than on private property?
Read more from Hugh.Read more from Hugh.
Officials acknowledge there is divided opinion but believe the evidence is now growing to support a ban. Although the numbers of children using e-cigarettes are low, ministers do not want to take the risk of children seeing smoking "normalised" again after the success in banning smoking.Officials acknowledge there is divided opinion but believe the evidence is now growing to support a ban. Although the numbers of children using e-cigarettes are low, ministers do not want to take the risk of children seeing smoking "normalised" again after the success in banning smoking.
There are similar e-cigarette restrictions in countries like Belgium, Spain and Malta, with proposals in France and Ireland. But this would be a first for the UK.There are similar e-cigarette restrictions in countries like Belgium, Spain and Malta, with proposals in France and Ireland. But this would be a first for the UK.
The BMA says it is "vital" that e-cigarettes do not undermine tobacco control and they are particularly worried that the way they are marketed is making them attractive to children.The BMA says it is "vital" that e-cigarettes do not undermine tobacco control and they are particularly worried that the way they are marketed is making them attractive to children.
It also says more research is needed to find out whether e-cigarettes actually help smokers to quit.It also says more research is needed to find out whether e-cigarettes actually help smokers to quit.
TATTOOS AND PIERCINGSTATTOOS AND PIERCINGS
A licensing system is also being drawn up with the tattoo and piercing industry - to produce enforceable professional hygiene and health standards by 2017.A licensing system is also being drawn up with the tattoo and piercing industry - to produce enforceable professional hygiene and health standards by 2017.
There are already around 350 tattoo premises with licences in Wales but there are many others, including self-taught tattooists called "scratchers".There are already around 350 tattoo premises with licences in Wales but there are many others, including self-taught tattooists called "scratchers".
It is a recognition that times have changed dramatically since the last legislation in the early 1980s, with tattoos and piercings more popular.It is a recognition that times have changed dramatically since the last legislation in the early 1980s, with tattoos and piercings more popular.
There will also be a ban on intimate piercings for the under-16s.There will also be a ban on intimate piercings for the under-16s.
Ministers say the industry welcomes the new system - backed up by the threat of prosecution and fines - which will see tattooists having to show they are competent.Ministers say the industry welcomes the new system - backed up by the threat of prosecution and fines - which will see tattooists having to show they are competent.
BETTER ACCESS TO TOILETSBETTER ACCESS TO TOILETS
Councils will also be expected to produce a local toilets' strategy and to involve shops and other businesses in providing "creative solutions" to meet local needs.Councils will also be expected to produce a local toilets' strategy and to involve shops and other businesses in providing "creative solutions" to meet local needs.
It recognises the budget constraints to councils and that it has become an issue of access to "toilets in public" rather than public toilets - those owned and run by local authorities.It recognises the budget constraints to councils and that it has become an issue of access to "toilets in public" rather than public toilets - those owned and run by local authorities.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said they wanted to get the balance right between all the things that would make a big difference to people's health in the future "while not wanting to intrude on the legitimate rights people have to run their own lives."Health Minister Mark Drakeford said they wanted to get the balance right between all the things that would make a big difference to people's health in the future "while not wanting to intrude on the legitimate rights people have to run their own lives."
He added: "The Welsh government has a responsibility to create the conditions which enable people to live healthy lives and avoid preventable harm to their health."He added: "The Welsh government has a responsibility to create the conditions which enable people to live healthy lives and avoid preventable harm to their health."
Attempts to bring in a minimum price for alcohol are still being worked on but will not be included in the bill until the outcome of a European Court of Justice hearing on similar legislation in Scotland.Attempts to bring in a minimum price for alcohol are still being worked on but will not be included in the bill until the outcome of a European Court of Justice hearing on similar legislation in Scotland.