Liverpool and London push for smoking ban

Liverpool and London have joined forces in petitioning Parliament to pass smoke-free laws in the two cities.

Liverpool City Council and the Association of London Government (ALG) - representing London's 33 councils - have made the decision to pressure government because neither feels the white paper on health does enough to protect workers.

The councils are to formally place private bills before Parliament to ban smoking in pubs, clubs, restaurants, shops and offices to protect employees being exposed to cigarette smoke. The legislation is being put forward on health and safety grounds and is similar to laws already in force in Ireland and New York.

Sir Robin Wales, chair of the ALG, said: "People have the choice of smoking or not, or whether they wish to stay in smoke-filled environments. However the people working in our leisure venues do not have that choice.

"Recent polls have shown that Londoners themselves back a ban on smoking in public places. This bill is evidence of boroughs listening to and acting on the concerns of their local communities."

Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, added: "In Liverpool over 100 people die each year from cancer caused by passive smoking. We take this issue extremely seriously. As a city council we have a duty to protect employees and customers, and our bill will do exactly that."

The bills are being introduced in time for the next legislative session and will go through the normal parliamentary procedures. This process will also help shape how any ban would be enforced should it become law.