Smoking ban will save 'thousands of lives'
06/20/05
The government has given more details on how their proposals for 'smoke-free' public spaces would work.
A consultation document has been designed to give interested parties a chance to have their say on the Choosing Health white paper, before the Bill is introduced in the autumn.
During the course of the consultation, which runs until September, issues up for discussion include the timetable for implementation, proposed enforcement measues and how to define an 'enclosed' public space.
The proposal is that 99 per cent of workplaces, all restaurants, and pubs serving food will see a smoking ban.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said:
"The measures set out in 'Choosing Health' will save thousands of lives in England, reducing deaths from cancer, heart disease and diseases that smoking causes.
"Government wants to hear from groups, particularly businesses, on the practicalities of the proposals, so we end up with workable, consensus measures which become law."
Smoking in public places is only one element of the Government's tobacco strategy, she said.
In England 75 per cent of the adult population now do not smoke.