Creating a Worldwithout Smoking
Smoking will bebanned in all pubs,clubs and workplaces from next year after historic votes inthe Commons last night.Afler last-minute appeals from health
campaigners,MPsopted for a blanket prohibition which will startin summer 2007,ending months ofargument 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 stillbe allowed in the home and in places considered to be homes,such asprisons,care homes and hotels.
Smokers lighting upin banned areas will face a fixed penalty notice of ￡50 and spot fines of ￡ 200 will be introduced for failing to display no-smoking signs,withthe
possible penalty,ifthe issue goes to court,increasing to ￡1,000.
Carpline Flint,thePublic Health Minister,also announced that the fine for failing to stop peoplesmoking in banned areas would be increased to￡2,500 more than ten times
the￡200 originally proposed.
The Bill also allowsthe Government to increase the age for buying cigarettes.Ministers will consulton raising it from 16 to 18.
The Bill now goes tothe Lords but 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.
Patricia Hewitt,theHealth Secretary,said the Health Bill would ban smoking in"virtually everyenclosed public place and workplace"in
year. Smoke-freeworkplaces and public places"will become the norm".
She saiD."Anadditional 600,000 people will give up smoking as a result of this law andmillions more will be protected from second-hand smoke."
PeterHollins,director-general of the British Heart Foundation,saiD."The vote isa landmark victory for the public health of this country and will save thelives of many
people."
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
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