Government Dithering Over Smoking Ban

2.46.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 30th Jun 2004

Liberal Democrats today called on the Government to stop dithering and take action on implementing a smoking ban in public places.

The comments were made as news reports suggest that Labour is considering introducing a ban on smoking in public places if they win the next election. The British Medical Journal has also reported today that the risks of passive smoking could be twice as bad as previously feared.

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"It's high time the Government stopped dithering and enforced a smoking ban in public places. On straight public health grounds preventing smoking in public places would deliver substantial health benefits.

"A ban would protect staff and customers from the effects of second-hand smoke, and would help many more kick the habit.

"There is a civil liberties issue, but the test must surely be; does a person's freedom to smoke in a public place do serious harm to others? It clearly does as smoking kills."