£1m-a-week ads to say smoke ban starts 1 July

The government will spend £1million a week to publicise its anti-smoking legislation. A TV campaign will be launched tonight to highlight the ban that comes into force from 1 July.

There will also be adverts on buses, the London Underground, billboards, newspapers, radio stations and airports.

It is understood to be one of the largest ad campaigns conducted by the Department of Health in recent times.

Research shows that 45 per cent of people are unaware of the date the antismoking legislation comes into force, while many are unclear about the scope of the restrictions.

Public health minister Caroline Flint said: "Our snapshot survey shows that the majority of people know that smokefree legislation is coming, but almost half the population are not aware it comes into effect on 1 July. The campaign is a reminder to people of the date and gives examples of the range of locations which will be smoke-free."

Meanwhile, campaigners have called for motorists to be banned from smoking at the wheel.

The Local Authority Road Safety Officers' Association claims drivers risk their own lives and those of their passengers when they smoke.

Campaign group Action On Smoking And Health supported the move, but Paul Smith, of the SafeSpeed pressure group which represents drivers, said: "Smokers can feel agitated or anxious when they need a cigarette and the last thing we need is agitated or anxious drivers."