GROWING calls for a nation-wide ban on smoking in all confined public places have been welcomed by the man who first raised the idea of outlawing smoking in such places in Poole.

It is more than two years since Cllr Peter Adams got the ball rolling in Poole as one of the main instigators calling for a public consultation on a smoke-free town.

It led to Borough of Poole in February this year all but agreeing to imple-menting its own bylaw enforcing a smoking ban in places such as pubs, restaurants, shops and places of work once costings have been worked out.

But now that may be superceded by the government after prominent medical figures urged a total ban on smoking in all confined public places across the UK.

The government, which is expected to announce its white paper on the smoking issue this November, was planning to impose the ban only in places where food is sold.

That idea has been now been branded unworkable by the British Medical Association, which wants a total smoking ban as has been introduced in other countries such as Ireland and Italy.

Cllr Adams said: "It is looking likely that there will be a total ban and I'm delighted if that is the route that will be taken.

"It takes the pressure off publicans who have been worried about whether or not to serve food. From a health point of view it means there will be between 16,000 and 22,000 more smoke-free pubs, and it discourages youngsters from smoking.

"It also solves the question of what constitutes selling food - such as does it mean a packet of crisps?"

Poole council has been investigating the cost of implementing a smoking ban and is likely to await the government's white paper before proceeding further.

"This would supercede our decision and solve the problems for publicans wondering what to do, and it would save Poole the cost of having its own local ban," said Cllr Adams.

First published: August 22