The UK's leading cancer charities are calling on the Government to introduce a full ban on public smoking.

Macmillan Cancer Relief, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the British Lung Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer Care are jointly requesting that England follow the example of Ireland and Scotland and impose an outright smoking ban in enclosed public places such as bars and restaurants.

Although smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, the charities claim that around 15 per cent of patients with this disease have never smoked.

Peter Hollins, director general of the British Heart Foundation, recently warned that around 40 people each day die as a result of passive smoking.

"We want to see an outright ban on smoking on public places. There is clear evidence now that passive smoking increases the risk of lung cancer," said Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief.

"We also want to see improvements in diagnosis and treatment for all lung cancer patients."

However, the Government's forthcoming public health White Paper is expected to offer a compromise on controlling smoking rather than an outright ban, with pubs and restaurants being able to apply for a license to allow smoking.
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