Annette Brooke MP promises "I'm voting smokefree"

2.33.40pm GMT Mon 13th Feb 2006

Annette Brooke supports a full ban on smoking in pubs, this is best for the health of the nation according to British Heart Foundation

Annette Brooke MP has pledged her support for a comprehensive smoking ban in the run-up to this month's all-important vote in the House of Commons. The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole will back the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) call for the exemptions allowing some pubs and clubs to continue to allow smoking to be scrapped.

At a recent event at the House of Commons, Annette stood side-by-side with Kevin Barron, the Chairman of the House of Commons Health Select Committee. The influential Committee last month tabled an amendment to the Health Bill which aimed to secure a comprehensive smoking ban in England.

Annette Brooke MP: "The medical evidence for a full and total ban on smoking in pubs is now well established. This is vital for the protection of both workers and individuals, smokers and non-smokers alike. Local pubs need a level playing field - whether they serve food or not."

The Government has bowed to pressure and has agreed to part of this amendment, meaning that ALL pubs will now be subject to the ban if the Bill is passed by Parliament. However, as it stands, exemptions in the Bill would still allow smoking in private clubs. The BHF and the Committee believes this is unacceptable and illogical, and will leave thousands of workers unprotected from the proven health dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke. As such, we are supporting an additional amendment to be tabled to remove this anomaly.

Maura Gillespie, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The BHF has still not heard a logical explanation for why a minority of workers, many of whom live in the poorest areas, should be denied the same protection that this Bill offers to the majority.

"The proposed exemptions offer an inexplicable loophole that will create confusion and widen health inequalities - without even satisfying the pub trade or the vast majority of the public. We are delighted Annette Brooke has pledged to vote for the only sensible and workable solution: a comprehensive smoking ban."

All MPs who demonstrated their commitment at the Parliamentary event received a certificate of thanks from the Health Select Committee for agreeing to support comprehensive smokefree legislation.

Kevin Barron said: "It is crucial that we get the vote of MPs from all parties to ensure that the proposed exemption is removed. We therefore welcome Annette's support, and the fact that she has demonstrated her commitment to protecting all her constituents."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The medical evidence for the need for a ban is now well established. It has support from all members of the Smokefree Action Coalition, which includes the BHF, Cancer Research UK, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and ASH.

The evidence includes:

• There is a clear link between passive smoking and heart disease, with an increased risk of developing heart disease in non-smokers of 50% ;

• You do not have to be exposed to cigarette smoke for long for it to damage your heart - just 30 minutes in a smoky atmosphere is enough to reduce coronary blood flow ;

• Exposure at work may cause more than 50 deaths in the hospitality industry per year - almost one hospitality worker per week.

The vote will take place during the Report Stage of the Bill, which is expected to take place on 14th February.