‘Compromise’ smoking ban causes controversy
Viran Pandya investigates a cabinet rift and its far reaching consequences for issues of public health and direction of government policy
News of the proposed smoking ban outlined in the government’s Health Bill, will no doubt affect the lives of both smokers and non-smokers alike. The ban has shown the problems facing an embattled Labour government and has damaged Tony Blair’s authority.
The proposal specifies that smoking will be banned in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants serving food, yet with the exemption of pubs and clubs that don’t serve food. This qualification has resulted in the label, ‘partial smoking ban’, and it has attracted vociferous calls for a complete ban.
The Bill stipulates that all workplaces subject to the conditions of the ban must implement smoking restrictions by 2007. Under the proposals, establishments which defy the ban would face a £50 fine. The ban will be reviewed after three years. The deal on a smoking ban, brokered by cabinet after weeks of wrangling, represents a return to Labour’s original manifesto pledge: “The Health Bill will include a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places which will cover 99 per cent of the workforce”.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt argues that “this legislation is a huge step forward for public health and will help reduce deaths from cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related diseases. Not only will we be able to protect non-smokers and the huge majority of pub workers from the harmful effects of smoke, it will also provide smokers with an environment where it’s easier to give up”.
The incomplete nature of the ban has drawn fire from anti-smoking campaigners. The Chairman of the British Medical Association believes the Government has “thrown away the opportunity of a lifetime to protect the public’s health”. The BMA has criticised the government for ignoring months of consultation advice and the “vast amount of conclusive evidence that second-hand smoke kills and what was needed was a total ban”. Unions representing bar workers and waiters also publicly announced that they were unhappy with the compromise.
Industry and pro-smoking groups expressed relief that the government shied away from a blanket ban covering all bars and clubs in England. Simon Clark, director of the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco’ was “disappointed in that this is a massive shift in terms of restrictions on smoking”. The Department of Health defended the proposals, saying ministers had tried to ‘strike a balance’ between freedom of choice and protecting non-smokers.
While placing restrictions on smoking, the government is also attempting to pass legislation for 24 hour drinking, with the logic that relaxing the 11pm deadline would stagger bar closing times and result in less binge-drinking and alcohol-related violence. Blair’s government does not seem to able to decide between a liberal or nanny state.
The past fortnight has seen Tony Blair battling to restore his authority, which has been damaged by cabinet splits over the ban, the resignation of close ally David Blunkett, and a Commons revolt against anti-terror laws. The Prime Minister’s focus has supposedly been on “big picture” issues, such as educational reform and the future direction of the European Union.
Simon Clarke told BBC news that Tony Blair is “considering his legacy and you don’t make history by introducing compromises”.
