Smoke-free zones 'failing the public'

Pressure for a ban on smoking in London's pubs and restaurants increased today after a study showed that no-smoking areas offer little protection against the dangers of passive smoking.

It found that levels of nicotine and cancer-causing pollutants are reduced only "marginally" when smoke-free zones are created.

Health experts said the only way to combat the dangers of inhaling smoke was to impose a complete ban on smoking in public places.

Although Mayor Ken Livingstone has no such power, the Government could grant it to him if he decided to lobby for a change in the law. Mr Livingstone today declined to comment on whether he would pursue such powers.

However, a spokesman for the Mayor said he had noted a recent poll that found massive support among Londoners for some form of curbs on smoking in public places.

The latest scientific study, in this month's Tobacco Control journal, showed levels of atmospheric nicotine and particulate matter - the potentially carcinogenic pollutant in smoke - were 53 per cent and 52 per cent lower in non- smoking areas. Researchers at the Sydney Public Health Unit in Australia also found the levels of reduction varied hugely, but having a separate non-smoking room made little difference.

Professor John Britton, chairman of the Royal College of Physicians' Tobacco Advisory Group, said: "The only thing that will work is to make public places smoke-free."

Mr Livingstone said: "Non-smoking areas in pubs and bars won't work unless there is adequate ventilation and air-conditioning to complement them."