A BAN on smoking in Poole's public places would be a "draconian" move, according to the director of pro-smoking group Forest.

Simon Clark told the select committee set up by Borough of Poole Council to help make a decision on the controversial proposals that a bylaw banning or severely restricting smoking in bars, clubs and restaurants should be "a last resort, not a first option".

Mr Clark spoke at the second of two day-long meetings which saw presentations from a number of organisations on the issue including Poole Primary Care Trust, the Tobacco Workers' Alliance and Daily Echo editor Neal Butterworth.

He added: "Politicians do not have the right to force people to change their lifestyle.

"We are not banging on about smokers' rights, we're saying there should be a choice in society."

Tim Lord, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, agreed.

He said: "The general public do not want bans, they want choice. A general prohibition of smoking in enclosed places is not justified."

But Ian Willmore, from anti-tobacco group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "The principle of personal freedom is that you do what you like until you start to harm people.

"Second-hand smoke is dangerous to the health of non-smokers."

And regional director of Pizza Hut David Thompson told the committee how successful a ban on smoking in their restaurants had been.

He said: "We've had very positive customer feedback, even from smokers. It's a cleaner, fresher environment and it's a better environment for the team.

A final decision on the plans is due to be made later in the year, after the results of an opinion survey and a number of focus groups have been collated by a special team at Bournemouth University.

First published: April 26