PROPOSALS to outlaw smoking in public places in Wales are brave, justified and show up English plans for a partial ban as a "wimpy" compromise, says a Gwent GP.

A report from a five-member Assembly committee calls for smoking to be banned everywhere except in private homes, designated areas in hotel rooms, care homes, prisons and long-stay hospitals.

It goes further than a White Paper published in England last year which would exempt from any ban pubs where food is not served.

The proposals have been welcomed by the British Medical Association Wales and by Dr David Bailey, chairman of Gwent's Local Medical Committee, which represents the area's family doctors.

"I am absolutely in favour of a ban. I do not see why I, you, or anyone else should die for someone else's hobby," he said.

"This is a brave decision by the Assembly. It's nice to see it acting with a bit of spine for a change."

The committee took evidence from both sides of the debate, including the BMA Wales and the Licensed Victuallers' Association, but has proposed a ban within two to three years on "overwhelming' health grounds. It concluded there is no evidence a ban will have a negative impact on the economy.

The recommendation must be ratified by the whole Assembly, which will have to lobby the government to give it legislative powers to enforce a ban. Such legislation is most likely to come as part of a wider Public Health Act.

"It's possible opponents (of a total ban) might try to talk it out, but that would be damaging for the democratic process. The evidence for a ban is unequivocal, and proposals for a ban in England are wimpy," said Dr Bailey.

Public health expert Dr Norman Vetter, from the BMA Wales, heralded the report's publication as "a wonderful day for Wales."

"Wales is moving in the right direction. Hopefully the English will learn a lesson from us like they did with the rugby."