'Ban smoking in public'

A total ban on smoking in public places moved a major step closer today.

Sir Liam, the Chief Medical Officer, said he would urge ministers to bring in the ban to cut non-smokers' exposure to cigarette fumes which increases the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Sir Liam said passive smoking also increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome and harms children and babies even more than adults.

The Department of Health said this afternoon that it would give "serious consideration" to Sir Liam's call. It is estimated that 27 per cent of adults in England are smokers. Yesterday Britain's doctors voted overwhelmingly for a similar ban. New York banned smoking in public places in April.

Sir Liam said children were especially vulnerable from second-hand smoke and often had no choice about being in the same room as the smoker.

He said action on second-hand smoke is what the tobacco industry has long feared most, adding: "Smoking kills 120,000 people each year in Britain. Over the last few years the Government has put in place an unprecedented range of measures to combat smoking-related disease.

"Major action to clear the air of cigarette smoke in workplaces and public places would be the final brick in the wall. Inhaling second-hand smoke is unpleasant and a direct hazard to health."

Sir Liam listed more than 50 known or suspected cancer-causing agents which people are exposed to through second-hand smoke. Some of the chemicals can also be found in rat poison, insecticide, swamp gas, diesel exhaust and floor and toilet cleaner.

Sir Liam said: "It's been estimated that some three million people in this country become passive smokers when they go to work while a further one million are exposed 75 per cent of the time. Particularly vulnerable are bar workers, waitresses and waiters.

Comprehensive workplace smoking bans will protect these workers. The majority of people in England are non-smokers and object to others smoking near them. Moves to make public places and work places smoke free would create a climate in which no smoking is the social norm."

His call for a ban is contained in his annual report On The State Of Public Health. Sir Liam said Parliament should lead the way by becoming a smoke-free zone itself.

Doctors' leaders backed Sir Liam's views. The BMA said: "We're absolutely delighted. We would strongly encourage a ban to be introduced. Quite simply it would save lives - we estimate over a 1,000 lives a year would be saved by such a ban."

Deborah Arnott, director of antitobacco group ASH, said: "The Government must listen to the Chief Medical Officer. Laws are needed to protect both the general public and employees. Ventilation and partial smoking bans are not effective in protecting people from the toxic and carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke."

Sir Liam also unveiled plans for a new TV advertising campaign to warn parents of the dangers of passive smoking for children.

Simon Clark, director of prosmoking group Forest, said: "We are against a total smoking ban in public places, we believe there is no justification for it. Pubs, restaurants and clubs are private businesses and they should be free to choose their own policy.

"We would actually like to see more non-smoking areas. We are prepared to compromise but the anti-smoking industry is not willing to do the same."

In his report Sir Liam also warned that obesity was a "ticking time bomb" in Britain.

He recommended the food industry adopt a more responsible approach to marketing foods high in fat and added sugar.