ASH - Smoking Bill is a stunning victory

Deborah Arnott, director of the health campaigning charity ASH, today branded the inclusion of a bill to end smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places in the Queen's Speech, "a stunning victory" for public health campaigners.

Commenting after the Queen set out the Government's legislative programme for the next 18 months, Ms Arnott added: "Only two years ago we were told repeatedly that such a law was not even on the political radar. We are delighted.

"But now we have to persuade the Government that the absurd exemptions for some pubs and clubs must be dropped from the final bill. They will undermine the whole purpose of the bill, increase health inequalities and create all sorts of problems for the hospitality trade. We need a simple law of the kind that has been such a huge success in Ireland, and which is due to be introduced in Scotland. We are confident that we will succeed."