British government rules out smoking ban

The British government indicated today it would not follow Ireland in banning smoking in public places.

Smoking has been illegal in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants, here since March.

But Health Secretary John Reid said Britain had to find its own answers to the problem of smoking.

He said the British government would not simply copy what other countries have done.

“The status quo is not an option on smoking,” he said.

“The majority of people in this country are not smokers and they want to work and enjoy their leisure in an atmosphere which is not afflicted with cigarette smoke.

“I will try to do that in a way that will try to balance people’s rights in this country. And while I can learn from other countries I will not transpose automatically what other countries have done to people in England.

“We have to find our own way of doing things.”

Dr Reid was speaking after a leaked report yesterday said no infant, child or adult should be exposed to passive smoking because of the health hazards.

The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (Scoth) report to the British government confirmed that second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease.

The pro-smoking lobby and the tobacco industry have disputed claims that passive smoking is a significant danger to non-smokers.

But the leaked report by some of Britain’s top medical scientists concluded that “second-hand smoke represents a substantial public health hazard”.

Ministers are preparing to publish their long-awaited Public Health White Paper next month. It is widely expected to include measures to limit smoking in public places but stop short of a total ban, covering all restaurants and pubs.

Campaigners say the majority of the public back a public smoking ban and accuse the British government of inaction over the issue.