What the Sunday papers said

As the smoking ban in England drew nearer Tony Blows, landlord of The Dog Inn in Ewys Harold, near Hereford, said he was prepared to go to court as he joined regulars for a cigarette. His group, Freedom2Choose, estimates that as many as 3,000 of its members, including licensees and social club owners, could refuse to quit their habit in enclosed public areas. The group launched a legal challenge on human rights grounds at the High Court last week in a bid to "fight against injustice and erosion of freedom and personal liberties". Mr Blows said: "As long as we abide by licensing laws we are not doing anything wrong." - Mail On Sunday​

Newly-appointed Health Secretary Alan Johnson hailed the ban as a big step towards a healthier population. Mr Johnson said: "Labour has taken action to protect people from smoke in their workplace, pub or cafe. Only by tackling the causes of illnesses will we be able to improve health inequalities and save lives. A smokefree country will improve the health of thousands of people, reduce the temptation to smoke and encourage smokers to quit." - Observer​

The dad of murdered hostess Lucie Blackman fears today's smoking ban could leave women at risk. The ban starts on the seventh anniversary of 21-year-old Lucie's death in Tokyo - when her drink was spiked at a bar before she was butchered. Her dad Tim said women drinkers forced to leave pubs and clubs for a quick ciggy could have their drinks drugged while they are outside - and then be sexually assaulted. - Sunday People​

The reason smoking is being banned in pubs is because they are 'workplaces', writes Euan Ferguson in the Observer. But, actually, they're not. They are almost precisely the opposite. They are the places where people come to get 'away' from work. How did we, other than by being lazily inured by nanny-batter, and suffering fervid guilt from our habit, miss this point? But miss it we did. And so we step outside. And so we say goodnight. And so we say goodbye: but not even a happy Pete 'n' Dud goodbye: the very worst kind of goodbye, to any relationship; the kind where there is no real reason to have done so other than momentum and a very modern fear of fighting for happiness. - Observer​

If Mitchells & Butler's shares were valued in line with the rest of the pubs sector they would be trading on about £6. Does the company really merit such a huge premium? The potential for upside seems limited, relative to the risk of a fall. Take your money and run. Sell. - Sunday Telegraph ​