Member Article

Anti-Smoking Vote Welcomed

Anti-smoking campaigners have welcomed MPs’ decision to ban smoking in all public places.

MPs in the House of Commons voted 384 to 184 to make all workplaces and indoor public places smoke free - including private members’ clubs. According to Fresh, the Campaign for a Smoke Free North East, the decision will have a significant impact on the region’s health and could lead up to 34,000 people giving up smoking within a year of the ban. Andy Graham from Fresh said: “This is the best news for the health of the region that we’ve had in decades and we congratulate MPs for refusing to compromise with the lives of workers.” Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary added: “Today is a great day for the workers of the North East and MPs should be congratulated for making the right decision despite pressure to look for a compromise.

Secondhand smoke is the hidden industrial killer of the 21st century and this decision will tackle it head on.“ About a quarter of the adult population smokes, and surveys by anti-smoking group ASH have shown that about 70% of current smokers would like to give up altogether.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .