DR Jim Paris is one of the top men when it comes to promoting the health of people in East Lancashire.

And as director of public health for Blackburn with Darwen, he believes a ban on smoking in public places is the right thing.

He cites the raft of diseases, such as throat and lung cancer, heart disease and strokes, caused by direct and indirect inhalation of smoke as a clear reason to stop smokers lighting up in public.

Dr Paris is urging people in East Lancashire to vote with their feet and go to restaurants and bars that offer a smoke-free environment and then tell the management they have chosen the establishment because it is non-smoking.

He also wants people to make their homes a smoke-free zone, especially if they have children and wants people to put their foot down if smokers light up in 'No Smoking' areas.

Dr Paris said: "The evidence is clear. Inhaling other people's smoke damages your health.

"Those working in smoky places like bars, clubs and restaurants are at significantly higher risk of developing lung-cancer and heart disease as well as a number of other chest problems."

Dr Paris's comments come on the back of a leading American anti-smoking campaigner coming to Lancashire.

Stanton Glantz has been dubbed the pro-smoking lobby's number-one enemy.

He is calling for more smoke-free policies in public places after leading the campaign in his home state of California. Last week New York brought in a public smoking ban.