Restaurants told to think smoke-free

Restaurant owners today faced calls from a Government minister to ban smoking on their premises.

Public health minister Melanie Johnson cited Pizza Hut, which in August became the first major chain to impose an outright smoking ban. She called on other restaurants to "act accordingly".

Ms Johnson, speaking in the Commons, claimed that public opinion was shifting in favour of tougher restrictions. But she rejected demands by MPs for a legally enforced ban on smoking in restaurants.

Polls have shown that four in five diners would prefer to eat in a smoke-free environment. The Department of Health privately favours a ban on smoking in public places but Downing Street fears that it would anger smokers and business.

Today's comments follow the Chief Medical Officer's announcement in July that he would favour a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.