Shadow Health Secretary Favours Smoking Ban

Sir: Norway's decision to ban smoking in public places adds more weight to the campaign to do the same in Britain ("Norway bans smoking in bars and restaurants", 2 June).

With a recent survey by Mintel showing that the majority of people polled support a total ban on smoking, and with the success of schemes in New York and Ireland, it is clear that such a ban would be workable, sensible and popular.

On public health grounds preventing smoking in public places would deliver a substantial health dividend and protect staff and customers from the effects of second-hand smoke, and would help many more kick the habit.

There is a civil liberties issue, but the test must surely be does a person's freedom to smoke in a public place do serious harm to others? It clearly does. Smoking kills.

PAUL BURSTOW MP
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary
House of Commons

Source: Letters to the Editor, The Independent, 4th June, 2004

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