Doctors want smoking banned in all public places

Doctors are calling for laws to ban smoking in all public places including pubs.

The British Medical Association has published a report highlighting 1,000 deaths every year from passive smoking.

It wants smoking banned in all public places and tobacco companies to pay more tax so that money can be put towards public awareness campaigns warning people of the health risks of passive smoking.

At the same time Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has announced it is pressing for a bill outlawing smoking at work. The pressure group has stated, however, that licensed premises would be exempt from the total ban, but would have a duty to do what is reasonably practicable to reduce smoke exposure to employees.

ASH wants local authorities to determine the specific smoking policies in pubs as part of the licence conditions, effectively giving councils the right to decide if smoking should be banned in pubs in their area.

Nick Bish, spokesman for the trade's Charter Group, which was set up to self-regualte smoking policies in pubs, said: "The industry recognises the smoking issue as important and we are proud of the results we've had so far to make pubs less smoky and more pleasant for both customers and staff."

The Publican's Market Report 2002 showed that 64 per cent of licensees had already signed up to the charter. It also revealed that the number who are complying has almost doubled since last year's report from 34 per cent. Based on these statistics, the industry is well ahead of the 50 per cent target for 2003 agreed with the government.