The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough

Commenting on the proposals in today's English Public Health White Paper, local hospital consultant and Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Peter Maguire, said: "The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough to protect the health and lives of all workers.

"There is a section of the public who will still be at risk from second-hand smoke if these proposals are not extended to cover all enclosed public places.

"What we need to see in Northern Ireland is a smoking ban as far reaching as the one to be implemented in Scotland. Scottish politicians and health officials were brave enough recently to take a bold step forward for the health of the Scottish nation. The Republic of Ireland has done likewise and its legislation is working very successfully. It is time that people in this country were afforded the same protection. The Secretary of State for NI has the power to legislate for a ban similar to that in Scotland and Ireland and should do so without further delay.

"Although the Public Health White Paper applies only to England, there are proposals contained within it that would have an impact on the health of people in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to see the Government measures to address the serious and increasing problem of obesity. The measures proposed for the labelling of foods will go some way to making people aware of the types of food they are consuming and whether or not they are good for them. Similarly, the proposed unit measure labelling of alcoholic drinks.

"However, bigger and more frequent public educational campaigns on healthy eating are required to inform, and keep the message to the fore, that junk foods should not be consumed as part of any regular diet.

"We also welcome the proposals on sexual health services. This is an area of vital importance to the health of our nation. The increase of sexually transmitted infections is of particular concern in Northern Ireland and we would want to see similar proposals being implemented here."