out Blair

plan for

ban on

smoking

THREE East Lancashire MPs have rejected Tony Blair's suggestion that the government might introduce a ban on smoking in public places.

In a major U-turn Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government would be considering a total ban and that ministers will come to a view in the "next few months."

Up to now the government has rejected such a drastic move.

Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans - who reckons he has spoken five cigarettes in his entire life - said that a ban would be an example of "the nanny state".

Labour former smokers Peter Pike (Burnley) and Greg Pope (Hyndburn) said it was right to consider tighter restrictions on the habit in public places but did not support a total ban.

New York, New Zealand, Ireland and now Norway have introduced smoking bans.