Medical experts have called on the British government to introduce a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places in England instead of the partial ban outlined by Health Secretary John Reid today.
The proposed ban is part of a wide-ranging white paper on public health. However, it does not go as far as Ireland's smoking ban or the restrictions recently announced for Scotland.
The phased series of measures would see smoking banned in most enclosed public places in England within four years.
The proposals are likely to be included in Labour's election manifesto next year and would become law in 2006.
The British Medical Association, the British Heart Foundation and the Royal College of Physicians have all said a ban on smoking in all public places would be the single most effective measure to improve the country's health.
