Top medical officer calls for outright ban on smoking in public
The industry has hit back at the government's top health adviser following his call for an outright ban on smoking.
Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer (CMO), has called on smoking to be banned in all public places including pubs, restaurants and workplaces as part of what he called a "major assault on tobacco's long reign as the major killer in this country".
In his annual report, Sir Donaldson claimed that such "sweeping action" would protect individuals from the toxic effects of passive smoking in the workplace.
"It has been estimated that some three million people in this country become passive smokers when they go to work while a further one million are exposed 75 per cent of the time," said Sir Donaldson. "Particularly vulnerable are bar workers, waiters and waitresses. Comprehensive workplace smoking bans would protect these workers."
The CMO's statement will not be welcomed by licensees who fear that an outright smoking ban could possibly lead to a major decline in trade and a loss of jobs and profits.
Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and head of the industry's Charter Group on Smoking, expressed little surprise about Sir Donaldson's stance.
"His view is well-known and he represents the health lobby but he doesn't represent the views of the government.
"The Department of Health is happy to continue working with the industry and we're confident that self-regulation and our own initiatives will be taken into account. We remain convinced that the solution here is to offer customers the choice while protecting the welfare and health of workers."
The Charter Group is currently working hard to convince the DOH of the benefits of self-regulation through the use of signage, good ventilation and no-smoking areas where possible.
Oliver Griffiths of the clean air initiative Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR), added: "The CMO has absolutely no evidence that the population is in favour of a ban - and is being disingenuous at best.
"The licensed trade is well aware that some people want restrictions but the question is whether this should be a complete ban. The numbers of non-smokers working in areas where there are no restrictions is actually less than five per cent of the population. This shows that the hospitality industry is making huge leaps forward and that self-regulation is in good health."
Next week, the government is beginning its first ever television campaign on passive smoking (pictured). The hard-hitting adverts, which will stress the danger of second-hand smoke to babies, will coincide with the discussion in Parliament of a proposal to ban smoking in cafes and restaurants put forward by MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas.
