Smoking ban 'will widen health divide'

Up to 200 pubgoers a year will die because demands for a complete smoking ban in all bars had been rejected, a Department of Health (DoH) consultation paper said.

For the first time, the DoH admitted that smoking pubs and clubs, and therefore the extra deaths, were likely to be concentrated in poorer areas.

The document said: "The consequence of this is that the health benefits, in reduced exposure to second-hand smoke and in reduced smoking prevalence, will be less in these communities than in better-off communities."

The Northern Echo has revealed how smoking will continue in far more North-East pubs than the Government's nationwide prediction of only between ten and 20 per cent because so few serve food.

Up to 64 per cent of pubs in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency, in which 35 per cent of all deaths are caused by smoking, will escape a ban.

And there will be similar high levels of exemptions in Darlington (55 per cent), Wear Valley (55 per cent) and Derwentside (38 per cent).

In addition, the proposals will allow working men's clubs and other private members' clubs to make their own rules, regardless of whether they serve food.

Last night, the British Medical Association (BMA), the Royal College of Nursing and Cancer Research UK all demanded a blanket ban, as already introduced in the Republic of Ireland and planned for Scotland next year.

A BMA spokesman said: "If you want to avoid smoke-filled pubs, you will be better off in the South of England than in the North. There is a strong North-South divide."

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint insisted the Government favoured a partial ban, despite its own study suggesting a total ban would be cheaper to enforce and offer a higher "net benefit".

Research showed 80 per cent of people favoured restrictions on smoking in pubs but only 20 per cent wanted an outright ban, she said.

Under the proposals, people who smoke in banned areas - after 2007 for most public places, but 2008 for licensed premises - would face a £50 fixed penalty notice.

Tougher penalties of £200 would be handed out to managers who failed to order someone to stub out their cigarette and for failing to display warning notices in smoke-free buildings.

A "shop-a-smoker" hotline will be displayed on no smoking signs, with callers put through to the enforcement officers at their town hall.

Officers would not be sent immediately, but would carry out sting operations at locations that were the subject of repeated complaints.

Civil servants will draw up a limited list of snacks permitted at smoking pubs.

Banned areas will include sports grounds, bus shelters and entrances to buildings. Herbal cigarettes will be allowed, because they do not contain nicotine.

Firms support move for smike-free workplaces

SUPPORT is growing to make a town where one person dies every day from smoking-related illnesses smoke-free.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon yesterday presented certificates to 47 local companies that are committed to operating smoke-free premises.

Sixty-one companies and organisations are adding their weight to a campaign by Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust to reduce the number of smokers in the town from 34 per cent to 21 per cent by 2010.

Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death in Middlesbrough.

Reducing smoking is one of 20 areas of concern targeted by Mr Mallon in his vision for Middlesbrough, covering health, crime and sustainability.

The council has banned smoking in all its offices, leisure centres, entertainment and community venues.

Mr Mallon said yesterday: "Creating a smoke-free environment will make a major contribution to improving health in Middlesbrough.

"The campaign is highlighting the fact that Middlesbrough is a place which takes the health of its citizens and visitors seriously.''

Organisations taking part in the scheme and committed to operating smoke-free premises, have a maximum of 12 months to ban smoking. They can then apply for a gold or silver National Clean Air Award.