A CALL to ban smoking in public places in Blackburn and Darwen has been backed by the area's leading public health official.

Director of public health Dr Jim Paris spoke as leading American anti-smoking campaigner Stanton Glantz began a lecture tour across the north west.

But landlords' representatives and smokers' rights campaigners have rejected his calls, saying people should have the freedom to choose.

Dr Paris wants people in Blackburn with Darwen to:

Go to restaurants, places of entertainment and bars that offer a smoke-free environment.

Tell the management you have chosen their establishment because it is smoke free.

Make homes a smoke-free zone, especially if people have children.

Not accept smokers lighting 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 other chest problems."

Several seminars have been held in the north-west this week, attended by Mr Glantz, who has been dubbed the pro-smoking lobby's number-one enemy. He called for more smoke-free policies in public places after leading the campaign in his home state of California to bring in legislation to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. Last week New York brought in a public smoking ban. A spokesman for FOREST, the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco, said: "Our viewpoint is that a complete ban is unnecessary and extreme. An awful lot of work has been done to improve the atmosphere of public places in Blackburn with Darwen with separate areas and improved ventilation. A ban risks alienating a third of the population. We are pro-choice and a complete ban removes any choice."