Blair Government and the Tobacco Lobby

From The Guardian

James Johnson, chairman of the British Medical Association, expressed "utter disappointment" at the "wasted opportunity to protect the public's health".

"The government has thrown away the opportunity of a lifetime to protect the public's health. It is astonishing," he said.

"I cannot believe that, after consulting for three months, this government had decided not to listen to the vast amount of conclusive evidence that second-hand smoke kills and what was needed was a total ban."

Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "We are utterly dismayed that the government has not listened to doctors, health charities and the public, all of whom have voiced overwhelming support for a smoke-free law without exemptions.

"The compromised law will be unworkable. It also sends out a terrible message: that the government is prepared to protect the health of some workers while leaving others exposed to the seriously damaging effects of second-hand smoke.

"Sadly, people will die as a consequence of this half-hearted decision."