Welsh health minister Dr Brian Gibbons says the business case for a smoking ban is receiving support from Welsh pubs.
In an article written by the minister he praises operators who have taken the initiative to ban smoking early which he claims has had a positive impact on their profits. He says the support of many hospitality businesses is bolstering the case for the smoking ban which is due to come into force in Wales on April 2 2007.
He said: "The business case for banning smoking is gaining ground here in Wales and we have found many businesses, including pubs, hotels and restaurants, voluntarily introducing their own smoking bans in advance of the legislation coming into force. This has had positive impacts on their profit margins but also the health of their staff and customers alike."
He has also assured licensees that the government will be providing an effective information campaign with the initial mailshot sending out information to over 77,000 businesses.
"The Welsh Assembly government is extremely mindful of the licensed trade's needs for information on the coming legislation."
He says the assembly wants to work with businesses and local authorities in Wales to ensure a consistent approach to the enforcement of the legislation. He argues the approach will not be confrontational but be focused on raising awareness and understanding to ensure compliance.
In The Publican's Pub Food Report 2006, 53 per cent of Welsh licensees said they expected a fall in trade when the ban comes in.