Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs
Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs
Plans for a partial ban on smoking in public places in England are 'unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable', an influential committee of MPs has said. The Commons health select committee, reporting on 19 December 2005, said a total ban is the 'only effective means' of protecting public health. The Health Bill would allow smoking to continue in private clubs and pubs which do not serve food. Health minister Caroline Flint said this represented 'a huge step forward for public health'. She added: 'Even in the exempted bars and private members clubs bar workers will be better protected through the exclusion of smoking in the bar area.' But the select committee report presses the case for the ban on smoking to be extended to drink-only pubs and members-only clubs in an effort to protect bar workers and children from fumes. A partial ban would 'widen health inequalities' and 'be disputed in the courts', the report said. The committee's chair, Labour MP Kevin Barron, said: 'The current proposals fly in the face of medical opinion and will do nothing to protect those most at risk.' A UK-wide survey by campaign group ASH and Cancer Research UK found 72 per cent of respondents would support legislation to make all workplaces smokefree, including pubs and restaurants. Bans in Spain, Belgium and the Australian state Tasmania came into effect in the new year.
- Health Committee press notice and Smoking in Public Places full report. Department of Health news release. BBC News Online. ASH news release. The Australian.
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