Originally published February 26 2006
UK smoking ban broader than expected
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In Great Britain, smoking has been banned at all clubs, pubs and workplaces.
SMOKING will be banned in all pubs, clubs and workplaces from next year after historic votes in the Commons last night.
After last-minute appeals from health campaigners, MPs opted for a blanket prohibition which will start in summer 2007, ending months of argument over whether smoking should be barred in pubs and restaurants only.
Smoking will still be allowed in the home and in places considered to be homes, such as prisons, care homes and hotels.
Caroline Flint, the Public Health Minister, also announced that the fine for failing to stop people smoking in banned areas would be increased to �2,500 --- more than ten times the �200 originally proposed.
The Bill also allows the Government to increase the age for buying cigarettes.
Even a plan to allow smoking to continue in private clubs was thrown out as MPs on all sides were given permission to vote with their consciences rather than on a party line.
Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, who had earlier in the day backed the private clubs concession, changed her mind during the day.
Tony Blair, who also voted for the complete ban, had given his MPs a free vote after it became clear that the partial ban for pubs and clubs serving food, which was promised in the election manifesto, would be defeated in favour of a more hardline position.
With some ministers worried about a voter backlash if the ban applied to private clubs, Ms Hewitt had earlier in the day said there were strong arguments for excluding such premises.
Ms Hewitt said the Health Bill would ban smoking in "virtually every enclosed public place and workplace" in England and save thousands of lives a year.
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