Liz Lynne: Smoking ban will save lives

10.41.30am GMT Wed 15th Feb 2006

A total ban on smoking will save hundreds of lives and help thousands quit, Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, predicted today.

MPs voted last night by a margin of 200 votes for a total ban on smoking in all pubs, clubs and restaurants, which will come into effect in the summer of 2007. Research released last month by Asthma UK and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that the ban could lead to 72,000 smokers in the West Midlands region quitting within a year of it coming into force.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Liz Lynne said:

"Make no mistake - this ban will save lives. Stubbing out smoking in public places will stop non-smokers suffering second-hand smoke, and help smokers quit for good."

"Adults are free to smoke in private, and will continue to be so. But employees and customers should also be free to work or relax without endangering their health."

"It's regrettable that restaurants and bars were unable to properly regulate their own establishments and keep clearly separated areas for smokers. But without their cooperation, this total ban is the only way forward to ensure employees and customers are fully protected."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Last month's statistics from Asthma UK and ASH came from research provided by the University of Portsmouth. The study found that as many as 689,000 smokers could quit within a year across the country: in the West Midlands, this figure was 72,000.

2. According to the research, 363,000 asthma sufferers in the West Midlands reported that their asthma was aggravated by second-hand smoke.