'Passive smoke kills 1,000 a year'

Heart disease caused by passive smoking claims the lives of around 1,000 Londoners a year, according to research published today.

And campaigners are now calling for more curbs on smoking in public places.

It is estimated that the chances of non- smokers contracting heart disease are increased by 25 per cent if they live with smokers even though they inhale only one per cent of the tobacco fumes.

Today's report, commissioned by the Greater London Authority, also highlights the increased risk of lung cancer and stroke.

Jennette Arnold, chairman of the GLA's Smoking in Public Places Committee, said: "Passive smokers are at risk from a number of diseases including heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, asthma and chronic bronchitis. We want government to prioritise scientific research into the risks of passive smoking."

A spokesman for British American Tobacco disputed the claims and said there was no scientific evidence of a link between heart disease and passive smoking.

More than 20 health organisations have, meanwhile, written to the Treasury to demand more tobacco tax is spent on helping low-income smokers to quit.

They want 2p in every pound of tobacco duty to be spent on tobacco policy - £152 million from the £7.6 billion raised each year excluding VAT.