Parks and bus stops: Public smoking ban tipped to spread across the country

According to reports, London is considering making its public areas smoking-free zones within the next few years.

15:34 15 October 2014

An extensive report that was commissioned by London mayor Boris Johnson says that smoking should be banned on public areas controlled by local authorities. Lord Darzi, the report’s author said that the move should be an example that the rest of Britain could follow. 

 

Lord Darzi writes in the report, called Better Health For London: "London should lead the way for Britain, and the Mayor should lead the way for London by acting to make our public spaces smoke free.

 

"With 67 London schoolchildren starting smoking every day, urgent action is required.

 

"We have an opportunity to set a better example for London’s children by making parks and other places controlled by London's local and regional government smoke free."

 

England's chief medical officer Professor Sally Davies backed the ban.

 

She said: "We all know smoking is bad for health so I welcome any measures to reduce both active smoking and its role modelling in front of children."

Pro-smoking campaigner Simon Clarke of Forest countered:  "A ban on smoking in parks and squares would be outrageous. There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker. If you don't like the smell, walk away.

"Tobacco is a legal product. If the Chief Medical Officer doesn't like people smoking in front of children she should lobby the Government to introduce designated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs so adults can smoke inside in comfort."