Creating a Worldwithout Smoking

Smoking will bebanned in all pubs,clubs and workplaces from next year after historic votes inthe Commons last night. After last-minute appeals from health

campaigners,MPsopted for a blanket prohibition which will start in summer 2007,ending monthsof argument over whether smokers should be barred in pubs and restaurants

only.They voted toban smoking in all pubs and clubs by 384 to 184,a surprisingly large majorityof 200.Smoking will still be allowed in home and in places considered to be

homes,such asprisons, care homes and hotels.Smokers lighting up in banned areas will face afixed penalty notice of￡50and spot fines of ￡200 will be introduced for

failing to displayno-smoking signs,with the possible penalty,if the issue goes tocourt,increasing to￡1,000.

Carpline Flint,thePublic Health Minister,also announced that the fine for failing to stop peopiesmoking in banned areas would be increased to￡2,500一more than ten times

the￡200 originally proposed.The Bill alsoallows the Government to increase the age for buying cigarettes.Ministers willconsult on raising it from 16 to 18.The Bill now

goes to the Lordsbut will be through by the summer recess.

Even a plan to allowsmoking to continue in private clubs was thrown out as MPs on all sides weregiven permission to vote with their conscience rather than on a party

line.PatriciaHewitt,the Health Secretary,said the Health Bill would ban smokingin"virtually every enclosed public place and workplace"in Englandand save thousands of

lives a year.Smoke-free workplaces and public places"will become the norm".She saiD."Anadditional 600,000 people will give up smoking as a result of this law and

millions more willbe protected from second-hand smoke."Peter Hollins,Director-general of theBritish Heart Foundation,saiD."The vote is a landmark victory for thepublic

health of thiscountry and will save the lives of many people."The Governmentwill take necessary measures to help smokers give up smoking.

A.Right

B.Wrong

C.Not mentioned