Leech calls for full ban on smoking

1.21.27pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 2nd Feb 2006

John Leech MP has spoken in Parliament in favour of a complete ban on smoking in public places.

The Government's Health Bill proposes only a partial ban on smoking and would allow some pubs, bars and clubs to carry on allowing smoking. Manchester Withington Lib Dem MP John Leech supports an amendment that would extend the ban to all public places and workplaces, without exception.

Speaking during Health Questions in the House of Commons, John Leech stated that many smokers he knows say they would not have started smoking if it was not allowed in public places such as pubs and restaurants. Many would also find it easier to give up if there such a ban was in place. John Leech questioned the Health Minister about government targets on reducing smoking rates in England and pointed out that a complete ban would help to achieve these targets.

"The Government's plans for a partial ban make no sense. They would see some workers being protected from passive smoking but would leave others breathing in harmful tobacco smoke while at work. Smoking causes huge amounts of illness, suffering and premature death and costs the NHS millions of pounds each year. Any measure to encourage people to give up must be taken - and that means a full ban."

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