Mayor asks for powers to restrict smoking
Ken Livingstone has called on the Government to devolve powers to allow him to restrict smoking in London.
The Mayor claims there is “huge support” in London for a ban on smoking in the workplace.
The Government’s position on smoking in public places is expected to be outlined in this autumn’s Public Health White Paper. It is believed to be unenthusiastic about a UK wide ban on smoking in public places – such as that introduced in Ireland – because it does not want to be seen to be introducing the “nanny state”.
But, it is thought to be considering legislation to allow local authorities greater powers to ban or restrict smoking.
On Tuesday, the Mayor of London unveiled the results of a specially commissioned MORI poll which found that 65 per cent of Londoners backed a total ban on smoking in public places – including pubs and restaurants. Sevnty-five per cent backed a ban on smoking in offices and 72 per cent a ban on smoking in shopping centres.
Mr Livingstone has commissioned further research into how the bans in the USA and Ireland have worked.
He said: “There is clearly a strong groundswell for a change in relation to smoking in workplaces amongst Londoners. Any bans on smoking in the workplace would require the Government to pass additional powers to me and I am writing to the Secretary of State for Health today asking them to do so.
“I want to look carefully at the New York, Californian and Irish examples but it is clear that the public backs new measures to clear our workplaces of smoke.”
Scotland has recently concluded a four month consultation on smoking in public places, which received a record 53,948 responses. These are still being analysed but it is widely expected that the Executive will put forward legislation to ensure more smoke free areas, with a strong possibility of an outright ban.
