HEALTH bosses in Bolton have vowed to closely watch how successful the Welsh smoking ban is in a bid to learn lessons for when the legislation is introduced in England in less than three months time.
Smokers in Wales were forced to stub it out yesterday as the ban was brought in.
Debbie Collinson of Bolton Primary Care Trust said: "We will be watching the ban in Wales with interest. We hope it goes smoothly for them, but we will be making observations to ensure our own transition is smooth.
"In Wales they are now doing everything they can to improve health and wellbeing and we're looking forward to following suit."
Anyone caught lighting up in an enclosed public place in Wales will receive a £50 fine and the Assembly Government has embarked on an advertising and publicity campaign.
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