In a groundbreaking event, the House of Commons voted for a total ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants throughout England tonight (14th February)

For a total Ban - 384

Against - 284

The free-vote saw Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and other cabinet ministers voting against the Cabinet's original proposal prohibiting smoking only in pubs serving food, in line with Labour's election manifesto and following what was reported as extreme pressure brought by John Reid, ex-health minister. On Channel 4 news she confirmed that she had campaigned all along for a total ban in licensed premises.

This decision vindicates Cities like Liverpool that lead the way with their Smoke Free Liverpool campaign, and Liverpool based organisations such as Health@Work and Heart of Mersey; which gave major backing to the campaign for a smoke-free city.

Indeed the CWU branches in the Merseyside and adjacent areas also supported Liverpool's smoke-free campaign.

According to the TUC, 70 per cent of smokers want to give up. The pressure to smoke with a drink is one of the key obstacles to smokers trying to kick the habit they said.

The right of people not to be poisoned at work is in any case greater than a limit on where smokers can light up. They opposed a partial ban as both unworkable and a threat to health at work.

Commenting on today's decision
by MPs to ban smoking in all workplaces, TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said:

'This is a major victory for the simple union principle that people at work should not have to breathe in toxins. The government was right to make this a free vote, and let MPs have the same debate that has been aired in every pub and bar in the country.

'Working together with health campaigners and progressive parts of the hospitality business, unions have persuaded MPs that employees should enjoy a smoke free workplace from summer 2007. This is a major victory for unions, and a welcome Valentine gift for everyone who breathes second-hand smoke at work.'

According to the BMJ, passive smoking kills more than 11,000 people a year in the UK ( BMJ) - at least 600 a year from second hand workplace smoke. The careful study by researchers at the University of Queensland found:

Heart of Mersey website