Britain joins health crusade with smoking, junk food curbs

LONDON - Britain will announce plans today for a ban on smoking in many public places and a crackdown on television advertising of junk food aimed at children.

Health Secretary John Reid was to detail for Parliament the policy paper on public health.

Last week, the Scottish Parliament decided to ban smoking in public buildings from 2006. It is expected to be implemented in bars, restaurants and other enclosed public spaces.

For England and Wales, Reid wants a ban covering all places that serve prepared food, including many pubs, the BBC reported, but stopped short of a total ban on smoking in public places.

Tobacco and alcohol companies, including pub management firms, fear the proposals will cost them trade. Food companies and supermarkets have equal reason to be interested.

Officials said the Government wants to stop any ads pushing unhealthy foods appearing on television before 9 pm.

And supermarkets and food manufacturers will be encouraged to adopt voluntarily a clearer labelling system for their goods.

"What most people have told us is they do not want to take away the right of people to do that which remains legal but they do not want people to have the right to damage other people's health or to inconvenience others," Reid said.

Reid, a former heavy smoker, is thought to have accepted a ban in workplaces and restaurants but will leave some leeway for bars, allowing them to apply for licences to permit smoking as long as their eating areas are smoke-free.

This year Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs. Since then others, including Norway and Malta, have imposed similar bans.

- REUTERS