Government to introduce partial smoking ban

The government has announced plans to introduce a partial smoking ban, following reports of a Cabinet row over the proposals.

The plans, introduced as part of the Health Improvement Bill, will see smoking banned in all public places in England, but there will be exemptions for pubs, which do not serve food and private members clubs.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt had originally proposed introducing sealed “smoking rooms” in pubs, where staff would not work, while other members of the Cabinet had reportedly favoured a total smoking ban.

However, following days of discussions, it was agreed that the government would revert to the measures originally proposed in the election manifesto by former Health Secretary John Reid.

Under the proposals, anyone who defies the ban will face a £50 fine.

The ban would come into force from the summer of 2007 – 18 months earlier than previously planned.

Ms Hewitt defended the proposals today, stressing that she did not threaten to resign in the row over the proposals. She said: “I am proud to be Health Secretary and I am proud to be introducing a Bill that is going to make such a huge difference to the health of our country.”

The bill also includes proposals to review the anti-smoking legislation after three years. Ms Hewitt said that further consultations would take place on plans to protect bar staff in pubs where smoking is allowed. This could see the reintroduction of the idea of sealed “smoking rooms”, which Ms Hewitt had previously proposed.

The proposals have been greeted with criticism from anti-smoking campaigners. James Johnson, Chairman of the British Medical Association said that the government had “thrown away the opportunity of a lifetime to protect the public’s health”.

Scotland is due to introduce a smoking ban in all enclosed public places from March next year, while earlier this month a similar ban was announced for Northern Ireland, which is due to come into effect in 2007.

(KMcA/SP)