UK News 17-11-2004 Pub Grub Falls Foul Of Smoking Law who: Health Secretary John Reid what: Announces government plan to ban smoking from workplaces where: House of Commons, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "More than 20,000 pubs will stop serving food under ministers` new anti-smoking plans," reckons The Mirror today. "The White Paper, unveiled by Health Secretary John Reid, means licensed premises in England that do not offer meals will escape the smoking ban." Nevertheless, The Independent characterises the plan as "one of the most dramatic health interventions in recent years". Government offices and the NHS will lead the way, introducing the ban by 2006, with workplaces being compelled to fall in line a year later and smoking in pubs stubbed out by 2008. Dr Reid told the Commons that he was opposed to government "nannying" but that evidence of the damage done by passive smoking justified an exception. However, Tim Lord, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers` Association, says the ban goes beyond what the public wants. "We believe the government can accommodate smokers and non-smokers in pubs and workplaces and that ventilation and segregation or designated smoking rooms are what the majority of people want." The White Paper also contains a wide range of proposals to help relieve the future burden on the NHS by getting British people healthier, says The Sun. Fast food ads on TV will be banned until after 9pm, £1billion will be invested in PE and school sport, health warnings will be printed on bottles and cans of alcoholic drink and there will be a drive to halve the number of teenage pregnancies by 2010. [... more]

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