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MPs ready to order total smoking ban

David Ottewell and Amanda Crook
14/ 2/2006

A BIG majority of Greater Manchester MPs are set to vote today for a complete ban on smoking in public places.

Eighteen of 23 MPs who disclosed their intentions in an exclusive Manchester Evening News poll said they would definitely or probably opt for the all-out ban.

If that pattern were repeated across the Commons, plans to exempt either pubs that don't serve food or private members' clubs would fall.

The news has sparked jubilation among anti-smoking campaigners across the region.

Pat Karney, director of Smoke Free Greater Manchester said: "We are on course to make smoking history."

MPs have been given a free vote on the issue and will choose between three options: a total ban on smoking in pubs and private clubs; a ban in pubs but not private clubs; and the original government plan exempting clubs and pubs which do not serve food.

Momentum behind a total ban has been gathering pace and even the licensed trade - which favoured self-regulation instead of any formal ban - says exempting private clubs would be the worst option as it would cost them customers.

Exemption

The M.E.N found a majority of Labour MPs and all Liberal Democrat MPs across Greater Manchester were preparing to vote for the all-out ban.

Labour supporters of the blanket ban include ex-minister Beverley Hughes (Trafford), David Heyes (Ashton), Ivan Lewis (Bury South), David Chaytor (Bury North), Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton), Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish), Barbara Keeley (Worsley), Neil Turner (Wigan), Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central), Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton) and Ian Stewart (Eccles).

Home Office minister Paul Goggins said he was "inclined towards an outright ban" but would wait until the debate to make a final decision - a position shared with licensing minister James Purnell (Stalybridge and Hyde) and Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer. Those favouring an exemption for private members' clubs include Brian Iddon (Bolton South East), David Crausby (Bolton North East) and Ann Coffey (Stockport).

Mr Crausby said: "I believe both my parents died from smoking but I don't like to over-legislate. We should try to persuade people to change their behaviour." Dr Iddon admitted he would vote for an all-out ban if the proposal to exempt private clubs failed.

Phil Woolas, Labour's leader of the House of Commons and MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said he was in favour of a phased ban.

Home Office minister Andy Burnham (Leigh) is currently undecided.

Ian McCartney (Makerfield) refused to say, while Gerald Kaufman (Manchester Gorton) and ministers Ruth Kelly and Hazel Blears did not respond.

All of Greater Manchester's Liberal Democrat MPs confirmed they would be voting for the all-out ban.

Mark Hunter (Stockport) said: "There is sufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that passive smoking harms people who do not smoke."

Paul Rowen (Rochdale) said the decision would "improve the health of the nation" and cut smoking rates, while John Leech (Manchester Withington) said: "The government's plans would see some workers being protected from passive smoking but would leave others breathing in harmful tobacco smoke at work."

Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove), the party's chief whip, confirmed he favoured the all-out ban.

The sole Conservative MP in Greater Manchester, Graham Brady (Sale West and Altrincham) said he would NOT vote for the all-ban but was undecided between the other options.

Where do you stand on the smoking debate? Have your say below.
| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(14)


Most recent 2 of 14 user comments

   Some anti-ban protestors have made the usual tired old comment about the impact of reduced tax revenue on the decreased sale of cigarettes. Anyone with half a brain however, will understand that this loss will be balanced by the subsequent reduced drain on the NHS in the treatment of smoking-related illnesses. Also, someone made the obtuse comment that if non-smokers are so concerned about their health, why do they go to pubs? What a puerile thing to say. It's not as if popping into your local now and again for a pint, or the odd glass or two of wine makes you an alcoholic - in fact, scientific evidence states that alcohol taken in moderation is actually beneficial to health. Perhaps this person's comment speaks more about the writer's own issues with addictive behaviour than the non-smokers he is so irrationally attacking. Not everyone who visits a pub drinks to excess. Some people even go to pubs and have soft drinks. You may as well say 'why go to restaurants?' because over-eating leads to obesity, and all it's related illnesses. Ridiculous. The preservation of good health, in relation to self-inflicted disease, is primarily about common sense, moderation and self-control - concepts, of course, that the more vociferous element of the smoking population will be unacquainted with.
Doug, Manchester
15/02/2006 at 11:36

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   Last night I went out for a meal with my partner. As it was Valentine's Day, a lot of people were in the restaurant, paying a considerable amount of money for what was essentially great food. Unfortunately, as per usual, a minority of self-centred smokers were ruining things for everyone else by lighting up and poisoning the room with their foul-smelling carcinogens. Just because they have incinerated their own taste buds, they think it gives them the right to ruin everyone else's enjoyment of flavours and aromas. The non-smoking customers may as well have gone in there, put their credit cards on the table, and set fire to them. There was just one man in the restaurant who declined the ash tray provided, and went outside to spare his dining companions his smoke, and he was conspicuous in his thoughtful actions. If only all smokers were as considerate! So many Nicotine addicts have absolutely no regard for the comfort or health of others. I am therefore absolutely over the moon that the government has finally come to its senses and taken radical action to forcibly remove these morons from the airspace of the majority of decent sensitive people. Anti-ban protestors can weep and wail and drag out the same tired whining clich??s about 'Nanny States,' 'Big Brother' and 'infringement of civil liberties' all they want, but they only have themselves to blame. If, like the thoughtful man at the restaurant last night, they had behaved in a considerate manner towards non-smokers in the first place, the government wouldn't have had to take such drastic steps. If people can't be considerate of others of their own volition, then they have to be forced into it. Tough luck. Whinging self-pitying smokers will not find much sympathy among the vast majority of the population. It's only a shame that now they'll stay at home and inflict their poisons upon family members instead.
Kay, Manchester
15/02/2006 at 11:05

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