HEALTH campaigners made a last-ditch plea to the prime minister as the Cabinet met to discuss smoke-free legislation.
MPs and peers from the three major parties have written to Tony Blair urging him to abandon plans to exempt pubs not serving food and private members clubs.
It follows reports the government was considering a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places after results of its public consultation suggested a partial ban would be unworkable.
But there have been suggestions that pubs could have separate smoking rooms. The TUC urged ministers not to introduce the so-called "cancer rooms" because staff would still have to work in them and there is no guarantee that smoke would not enter non-smoking areas.
The letter has been signed by, among others, former Tory health minister Sir George Young, Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb, and Labour chairman of the all-party group on smoking and health David Taylor.
'Unworkable'
The MPs and peers said exemptions for some premises seemed "undesirable and unworkable".
They said research showed a comprehensive smoking ban had strong support from MPs across the political spectrum, and was backed by the public.
"The government cannot, and should not, ignore the majority voice of people and politicians."
The letter continued: "Introducing legislation with exemptions and loopholes would deny protection to the many thousands of workers in the hospitality industry."
The MPs and peers also called for the legislation not to be staggered as suggested in the consultation.
"A start date during 2007 would give more than enough time for the legislation to be publicised and for employers and others to make arrangements.
"This is a chance to save thousands of lives, and we do hope that your government will seize the opportunity," the letter said.
Leading medical organisations and charities have also written to Mr Blair, pushing for the legislation to be introduced on the same day.
NEXT Tuesday, Simon Donohue reports from smoke-free Dublin on what the future holds for Manchester.
Do you agree with a total smoking ban? Have your say.
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12 Months ago I gave up smoking, and yes, there is never a more tempting time to smoke than when I am in the pub where others are smoking.
I have no intention in starting to smoke again because every time that I am tempted, I just remember how hard it was to give up in the first place but there is no way that I can be so selfish as to say that they should ban smoking everywhere just because I don't smoke.
If we all stoped doing things that may affect somebody else adversely there would be nothing left for us to do, literally, if you explore cause and efect of everything that you do on a day to day basis.
i think the government is full of daft contradictions because banning smoking is admitting it kills but it's still legal to buy it!!! so how does it differ from cannabis it should a persons choice. Again it is legal to sell bongs for use with cannabis but it's illegal to buy the substance another stupid contratiction the government is a JOKE
What happened to freedom of choice ?
This is Tony and his pals once again thinking were stupid and not capable of deciding for ourselves.
Unlike Tony who went to War because he knew best.
Long live the Nanny State ?
Come to Sweden, smoking is banned in all public and enclosed places and in all office buildings. The difference is astounding. Clean air, and polution free wnvironments. Makes Manhcester look positively repulsive.
Tony Blair should listen to the majority for once and ban smoking everywhere apart from a persons own home Its the only way
Nicotine is more addictive than heroin and more likely to kill people who use it. The government should do everything it can to help people to stop smoking. This is not about free will. Cigarette firms deliberately do what they can to make their products more addictive than they are naturally.
Ive heard all the excuses "What about freedom of choice Ect" Well what about those who dont smoke what about their choice when they are in areas with smokers they dont have any choice "Do they" They have to move away from the area where their is smoke When will people learn "SECOND HAND SMOKE KILLS" I know this after being a smoker for 30 years last year i was diagnosed with COPD a lung desease that isnt curable .I stopped imediately if i had known about all the other deseases that you can get as well as cancer i would have stopped yearts ago .People need educating and should be told about emphesema and all those other really bad lung deseases that you get when you use tabbaco.Stop smoking in all public places and where the public go .If you insist on smoking go and kill yourselves in your homes dont involve innocent people in your deadly passtime "I used to smoke in front of people which is very wrong"
Come on Tony - Make a decision!You are paid a excellent wage and so are your cabinet.
You have responsiblity for the safety and security of the public.
Cigarettes cause cancer and a whole host of other medical problems.
Individual choice says that once people are aware of the risks (as they are with the warnings on the packet and information in he public domain), if they choose to continue to smoke then that is their concern.
However, by the same token, those that do not wish to smoke or inhale second hand air should be given the choice not to.
Smoking should be banned in public places, unless as with pubs etc a room can be set aside for the sole use of smokers. If such a room cannot be found then the whole establishment should be non-smoking.
Continuing to dither and not make a decision is ...
(1) Affecting the health of the non-smoking population.
(2) Leaving the government open to legal action .. how does a breach of human rights - "right to life" grab you.
I am a non-smoker and really hate socialising in smoky environments. As far as I'm concerned, I feel my wellbeing and enjoyment is hampered by the deadly habit of others b " how can this be right? I think it is an appalling reflection of a total lack of wisdom in the governance of this country. Is the government really concerned about the injustice of these circumstances? Why should the smokers be given the priority to enjoy their evening above the non-smokers (whose health they are adversely affecting at the same time.)
Its an obvious and logical conclusion b " smoking kills so it should be banned from places where a mixture of smokers and non-smokers are present. They can have the freedom to do it in places where it does not affect others who don't like it. It's a selfish habit if it's allowed to be done in public. I am extremely upset by it for other reasons: I have to wash the smoke out of my very porous hair which absorbs the smoke easily, every time I go to a filthy smoky pub or club (in fact I have opted not to go on many occasions). It's awful having to sleep with smoky hair and get it all over my bed clothes. I have often fantasised about leaving this country to go somewhere where common sense is of the highest regard not the pandering to people's wasteful and destructive habits just to keep revenues high.
I know that my strongly held stance is the stance of many in my friendship circle who also avoid these places. We have resorted to more house parties. I can vouch for many that we would come back to the pubs and clubs if they would only put aside their foolishness and give a smoking ban a whirl. It could be a wonderful smoke free country and maybe it would help many to give up too.
i'll tell tony blair myself what will save thousands of lives- STOP SELLING CIGARETTES! never mind a smoking ban, its not going to stop people. The government make out that they're trying to protect people yet they're quite happy to make money out of people buying cigarettes. What a bunch of idiots
yes, very clever tony, now we all believe that you care about our health. If you're so bothered about people's health then why on earth are cigarettes still legal!? it wouldn't be anything to do with all of the money you make from the sale of these death sticks would it?? what a joke, make your mind up, either ban smoking completely or not atll, stop trying to pretend you're concerned about peoples health when clearly you're not!
Er...Ace Riley, you didn't know cigarettes were bad for you?
And also, the comments about stopping selling cigarettes, so all you will get is Black market fags smuggled in from abroad, and more work for the police, now not only trying to catch drug pushers, but cigarette pushers, do you really think by stopping selling cigs, people will stop, like banning drugs stops drug pushers/users?