The movement to ban smoking in public places was gathering momentum today after Tony Blair revealed that the government would make a decision on the issue in “the next few months”.
Speaking on the BBC Breakfast show on Friday, Blair said: “There's no doubt about the damage that smoking does and also I think for a lot of people who aren't smokers they would actually prefer to be in an environment where there's not smoking taking place."
“You have got to have some balanced decision making in this, and it's a difficult balance. On the one hand it's something that does damage your health - you've got to be careful you don't end up with a [nanny state]."
The government has already announced it is assessing the public's feelings about a ban as part of a major consultation on health that will form part of the Public Health White Paper, to be published later this year and his latest comments have sparked fresh calls for a ban.
A recent survey claimed that over half of UK residents would favour a ban, while Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) today voted in favour of an outright ban on smoking in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Brian Revell, T&G national organiser for food and agriculture, said: "It is unacceptable that our members working in the leisure industry continue to be confronted by smoky environments, which can damage their health and even be fatal. One delegate suggested that passive smoking can be as bad as working in an asbestosis contaminated area.
"The feedback from our members working in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants is that smoking in their workplaces is as prevalent as ever and a ban is now necessary. The government are right to consider a ban and the T&G expects them to take a firm position in the interests of public health."
Brendan Barber, head of the TUC, added: “Ending the exposure of workers to second hand tobacco smoke would not only save hundreds of lives every year, it would also help reduce the levels of asthma and other smoke-related diseases in the hospitality and other related industries.
“Asking employers to prevent exposure to tobacco smoke voluntarily clearly has not worked, and there is growing evidence that other proposed solutions, such as introducing increased ventilation and no-smoking areas, have only had minimal effect.
"This is a national health issue, and must be addressed nationally. The Government should bite the bullet and follow the lead of Ireland, Uganda and Norway."
However, while opinion polls and trades unions appear to be in agreement, there is likely to be opposition from business groups. Despite the relative smooth introduction of smoking bans in New York and Ireland, restaurateurs and bar owners have continually argued that a ban on smoking would damage sales.
