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ASH Daily News

21 October 2004

HEADLINES

Liverpool first city to vote for ban on smoking
Health chief discuss Scottish smoking ban
Hotel chain moves to ban smoking

FULL TEXT

Liverpool first city to vote for ban on smoking

Liverpool was last night poised to become the UK'S first smoke-free city after its city council voted to ban lighting up in restaurants, pubs, shopping malls and other enclosed work spaces.
Liverpool city councillors voted 57 to seven to create a local law to outlaw smoking in such areas.

Parliament will now be asked to pass the council's wishes into law. Offenders would face a £1,000 fine if the bill became law.

Mike Storey, the leader of Liverpool's Liberal Democrat-run council, said he was thrilled by the vote which he hopes could have a national impact.

"It's an historic moment not just for Liverpool but also for the rest of the country," he said. "We have taken the first step to make sure that becomes a reality.

"I think this will make the government sit up and think about their anti-smoking legislation nationally."

Mr Storey criticised the health secretary, Dr John Reid, for comments made earlier this year in support of smoking, describing the remarks as "totally inappropriate".

He added: "There are dozens of other cities throughout the country that will follow suit and join Liverpool in this ban."

A thousand people a year in the city died from lung cancer, while 100 non-smokers died from passive smoke.

Full Guardian story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1332055,00.html
Source: The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Daily Star, The Sun, 21 October 2004



Health chief discuss Scottish smoking ban

Scotland should press ahead with plans to ban smoking in public places, a conference in Edinburgh is to hear.
Delegates from the European Medical Associations (EMA) will discuss tobacco control and the merits of public bans during the three-day event.

The conference has been organised by the Tobacco Control Resource Centre.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, of the British Medical Association, said the UK was failing to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke.

Speakers at the conference include former UK Health Secretary Frank Dobson.

It is estimated that smoking claims more than 13,000 lives each year, making it the biggest cause of premature death and ill health in Scotland.

Dr Nathanson said: "This conference provides the opportunity for medical associations across the length and breadth of Europe to come together, share experiences and learn from countries that have successfully introduced smoke free public places.

"The UK is failing to protect people from the deadly effects of second hand smoke.

"Thousands die each year and thousands more are blighted by diseases and illnesses caused from second hand smoke. Workers need to be protected and with international experience showing that it is possible, the time has come to legislate and save lives."

The Scottish Executive's public consultation on a ban on smoking in public places ended earlier this month.

Figures released by the executive in the closing days of the consultation period revealed that at least 27,000 people had responded. This was at least 20 times more responses than any previous consultation.

Source: BBC Online, 21 October 2004



Hotel chain moves to ban smoking

A nationwide hotel chain has announced it will ban smoking in at least three-quarters of its rooms.

Ramada Jarvis also plans to prevent smoking in hotel restaurants and other public areas including corridors and conference rooms.

However each hotel will retain one section where smoking is allowed, such as bars or lounges.

The chain said the move was in response to feedback from guests and staff demanding more non-smoking areas.

Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3761758.stm
Source: BBC Online, 21 October 2004



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Naj Dehlavi
Researcher
Action on Smoking and Health
http://www.ash.org.uk

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