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29/11/2005
MPs set to debate smoking plans
MPs will debate government plans to introduce a partial smoking ban in England and Wales, when the legislation returns to the House of Commons for its second reading today.
The Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a smoking ban in public places, but with exemptions for pubs and bars, which do not serve food and private members’ clubs.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has stated that she believed a total ban would eventually follow the partial ban. She had initially proposed the introduction of “smoking rooms” in pubs, where staff would not work, but other members of the Cabinet reportedly opposed this.
Following days of discussions, the government eventually reverted to the original proposals put forward in the election manifesto by former Health Secretary John Reid.
However, it has emerged that 81 MPs – including 50 Labour backbenchers – have signed a parliamentary motion calling for a “total ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and public buildings”.
The motion criticises the government’s current plans for a partial ban, saying that it is a “recipe for confusion, ambiguity and argument”.
The Liberal Democrats have described the government’s plans as a “fudge”. The party’s health spokesperson Steve Webb said: “The government should have the courage to lead public opinion, not slavishly follow it. The fudged exemption of pubs, which do not serve food, is cowardly. It fails to protect bar staff. It will increase the health gap between wealthy and deprived areas of the country.”
The partial ban has been fiercely criticised by anti-smoking campaigners. Last month, 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”.
Last week, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson, revealed that he had considered resigning after his advice to introduce a total ban was ignored.
Scotland is due to introduce a smoking ban in all enclosed public places from March next year A similar ban was announced in October for Northern Ireland, which is due to come into effect in 2007.
(KMcA/SP)
The Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a smoking ban in public places, but with exemptions for pubs and bars, which do not serve food and private members’ clubs.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has stated that she believed a total ban would eventually follow the partial ban. She had initially proposed the introduction of “smoking rooms” in pubs, where staff would not work, but other members of the Cabinet reportedly opposed this.
Following days of discussions, the government eventually reverted to the original proposals put forward in the election manifesto by former Health Secretary John Reid.
However, it has emerged that 81 MPs – including 50 Labour backbenchers – have signed a parliamentary motion calling for a “total ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and public buildings”.
The motion criticises the government’s current plans for a partial ban, saying that it is a “recipe for confusion, ambiguity and argument”.
The Liberal Democrats have described the government’s plans as a “fudge”. The party’s health spokesperson Steve Webb said: “The government should have the courage to lead public opinion, not slavishly follow it. The fudged exemption of pubs, which do not serve food, is cowardly. It fails to protect bar staff. It will increase the health gap between wealthy and deprived areas of the country.”
The partial ban has been fiercely criticised by anti-smoking campaigners. Last month, 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”.
Last week, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson, revealed that he had considered resigning after his advice to introduce a total ban was ignored.
Scotland is due to introduce a smoking ban in all enclosed public places from March next year A similar ban was announced in October for Northern Ireland, which is due to come into effect in 2007.
(KMcA/SP)
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27 October 2005
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.
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.
02 April 2014
Wales Could Restrict The Use Of E-Cigarettes In Public Places
New measures to address some of Wales' major public health challenges, including high levels of drinking and smoking, are being put forward by the Welsh Government today.
Wales Could Restrict The Use Of E-Cigarettes In Public Places
New measures to address some of Wales' major public health challenges, including high levels of drinking and smoking, are being put forward by the Welsh Government today.
10 November 2004
Scottish executive backs smoking ban
The Scottish executive has today confirmed that it will seek a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places. In order to enforce the ban, pubs and restaurants that fail to enforce the law will face fines up to a maximum of £2,500.
Scottish executive backs smoking ban
The Scottish executive has today confirmed that it will seek a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places. In order to enforce the ban, pubs and restaurants that fail to enforce the law will face fines up to a maximum of £2,500.
02 February 2006
Free vote for MPs on smoking ban
MPs will be allowed a free vote on proposals to introduce a smoking ban in England, including an option to introduce a total ban. MPs will have three options to choose from when the vote takes place at the report stage of the Health Bill in the Commons later this month.
Free vote for MPs on smoking ban
MPs will be allowed a free vote on proposals to introduce a smoking ban in England, including an option to introduce a total ban. MPs will have three options to choose from when the vote takes place at the report stage of the Health Bill in the Commons later this month.
08 March 2006
Smoking ban 'deters smokers'
The threat of a smoking ban being introduced is encouraging smokers to give up the habit, a survey has suggested. Research conducted on behalf of Cancer Research UK found that a fifth of doctors reported an increase in patients seeking advice to help quit smoking since MPs voted in favor of a total ban in England last month.
Smoking ban 'deters smokers'
The threat of a smoking ban being introduced is encouraging smokers to give up the habit, a survey has suggested. Research conducted on behalf of Cancer Research UK found that a fifth of doctors reported an increase in patients seeking advice to help quit smoking since MPs voted in favor of a total ban in England last month.
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