Castle's widow calls smoking plans a 'fudge'

The widow of entertainer Roy Castle has branded the government's plans for a partial ban on smoking in public as a "fudge".

Fiona Castle was speaking at the launch of the Scottish Executive's advertising campaign to promote the country's full ban, from March 26 next year.

"The government has fudged the issue about making England a smoke-free place," she said.

Roy Castle died in 1994 of lung cancer, which he blamed on years of playing in smoke-filled jazz clubs.

The advert (pictured)​, which will be shown between now and the introduction of the ban in Scotland, underlines the impact second-hand smoke has on people's health.

Health minister Andy Kerr said: "This advert explains why we are introducing smoke-free public places. The message is clear: passive smoking kills.

"The case for reducing exposure to second-hand smoke to improve health is indisputable. In Scotland, second-hand smoke is associated with up to 1,000 deaths a year among life-long non-smokers."

In England, 81 MPs have now signed a motion calling for a full smoking ban, ahead of the second reading of the health bill today.