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25/10/2005
Smoking ban divides the Cabinet
Ministers are still split over the government’s proposed smoking ban.
The anti-smoking legislation, part of the government’s health bill, which is due to be published on Wednesday, has divided ministers on the decision of possible exemptions.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt wants to ban smoking in all pubs and clubs, but has proposed to allow separate ‘smoking rooms’ in licensed premises, where bar staff would not work.
However, these plans have been criticised by a number of ministers, with the proposed sealed smoking rooms being dubbed ‘cancer cabins’ and ‘smoking carriages’.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is one of the leading critics of the smoking rooms proposal. She has written to anti-smoking lobby Ash to express her concerns, which are also believed to be shared by fellow Cabinet colleagues David Blunkett and David Miliband.
John Reid, Ms Hewitt’s predecessor, is reported to have said that the exemptions he had proposed – for private members' clubs and pubs that don't serve food – should remain in the bill.
Ms Hewitt was expected to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the legislation on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Mr Blair said that smoking was a “genuinely difficult issue” and that there were “practical issues” that needed to be resolved. However, he said that there would be “on-going work to tie down” those issues and stressed that the bill would give a “clear direction” on the issue.
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/GB)
The anti-smoking legislation, part of the government’s health bill, which is due to be published on Wednesday, has divided ministers on the decision of possible exemptions.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt wants to ban smoking in all pubs and clubs, but has proposed to allow separate ‘smoking rooms’ in licensed premises, where bar staff would not work.
However, these plans have been criticised by a number of ministers, with the proposed sealed smoking rooms being dubbed ‘cancer cabins’ and ‘smoking carriages’.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is one of the leading critics of the smoking rooms proposal. She has written to anti-smoking lobby Ash to express her concerns, which are also believed to be shared by fellow Cabinet colleagues David Blunkett and David Miliband.
John Reid, Ms Hewitt’s predecessor, is reported to have said that the exemptions he had proposed – for private members' clubs and pubs that don't serve food – should remain in the bill.
Ms Hewitt was expected to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the legislation on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Mr Blair said that smoking was a “genuinely difficult issue” and that there were “practical issues” that needed to be resolved. However, he said that there would be “on-going work to tie down” those issues and stressed that the bill would give a “clear direction” on the issue.
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/GB)
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27 October 2005
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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.
28 April 2005
BMA reinforces call for UK-wide smoking ban
The British Medical Association (BMA) has reinforced its call for a UK-wide ban on smoking in public places, with the publication of a report which, it claims, will “counter the myths” generated by opponents to the ban.
BMA reinforces call for UK-wide smoking ban
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02 April 2014
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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.
31 May 2004
Ireland's smoking ban a 'success' says report
Ireland's Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has reported that 97% of premises are complying with legislation calling for a smoking ban in the workplace. The research has also shown that levels of visits to pubs and restaurants remain constant with one-in-five smokers choosing not to smoke at all when socialising.
Ireland's smoking ban a 'success' says report
Ireland's Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has reported that 97% of premises are complying with legislation calling for a smoking ban in the workplace. The research has also shown that levels of visits to pubs and restaurants remain constant with one-in-five smokers choosing not to smoke at all when socialising.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
