Responding to news of the unexpected death of Leicestershire MP and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, David Taylor, health campaigners were quick to pay tribute. Taylor had been a long time champion of measures to reduce the harm caused by smoking and had been a leader in the parliamentary campaign that made public places in England smokefree. More recently he helped secure the successful passage of the 2009 Health Bill which will put an end to cigarette vending machines and put tobacco products out of sight in shops. Taylor was also one of Westminster's leading advocates of plain packaging for tobacco products. 

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of the Health Charity ASH said:

"David was a much loved and respected colleague and advocate for public health, fearless in his pursuit of the things he believed in. Our thoughts are with his family and I hope it can be some consolation for them to know that David was admired as a man of great honour and a wise and willing adviser to those who sought his help. It is all the more saddening to know that David was standing down at the next election, looking forward to a less hectic life."

ENDS