Smoking ban in England
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On 16 November 2004 a Public Health white paper proposed a smoking ban in almost all public places in England. Smoking restrictions would be phased in, with a ban on smoking in NHS and government buildings by 2006, in enclosed public places by 2007, and pubs, bars and restaurants (except pubs not serving food) by the end of 2008.[1]
On 26 October 2005, after days of opposition and debates within the Cabinet, the government announced that it would continue with its plans. All workplaces, including restaurants and pubs selling food, will have to have a ban in place by summer 2007 [2] However, there was wide criticism from all sides of the argument on this, with even many MPs threatening to try to overturn the bill. Many representatives of the licensed trade told the government only a total ban will work, and over 90 MPs signed a motion demanding a total ban, with over 100 signing for a free vote on the issue. It was reported on 24 November that chief medical officer Liam Donaldson nearly quit over the partial ban, but decided to stay to champion a total ban. On the same day, the government released the results of the public consultation, after Cancer Research UK demanded them under the Freedom of Information Act, which revealed that nearly 9 out of 10 respondents wanted a total ban, resulting in further embarrassment to the government. [3]
On 11 January 2006, the government further announced that it would give MPs a free vote on an amendment to the Health Bill, submitted by the health select committee, to instigate a total ban on public smoking. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt voted in favour of the amendment and, in so doing, voted against her own department's policy. All other parties had offered free votes on the issue which was debated on 14 February, with 3 options - the present compromise, a total ban, or an exemption for members clubs only.
On February 14, 2006, the House of Commons first voted on the amendment to the original compromise plan, to extend the ban to all enclosed public places except private members' clubs. The amendment was carried with a large majority. MPs then voted on a further amendment to ban smoking in all enclosed public places including private members' clubs. Again this amendment gained significant support and was carried with a large majority. This therefore replaced the earlier successful amendment which would have allowed smoking only in private members' clubs. Pending the legislation being successfully passed by the House of Lords (highly likely to be passed without problem as the majority in the House of Commons in favour of the bill was so large) a total smoking ban in enclosed public places will come into force in England some time in the middle of 2007.
On the 30th November 2006, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced that the smoking ban in England would come into force on the 1st July 2007.
