BBC NEWS | Politics | Campaigners welcome smoking ban

BBC NEWS | Politics | Campaigners welcome smoking ban

Last night MPs voted to ban smoking in public places. I have to say there is an air verging on celebration in our house this morning at this historic change in British culture. Hayley is particularly delighted that the ban is total and does not allow smoking in private/social clubs where children would still be exposed.

It means that from summer 2007 we will be able to take Oliver into cafes and family pubs (and at least one private club we occasionally visit) without fear of ill-designed layouts that mean he is in a smoky atmosphere and leaves smelling of smoke.

It also means we may be more inclined to go out to pubs and clubs again ourselves. I got sick of coming home stinking of smoke and of sitting next to people whose smoke drifted into my face all evening.

Of course, I am assuming that the ban can be enforced. It has been made to work in Ireland for the last couple of years so I hope the same will be true here.