A total ban on smoking in enclosed public places across Brighton and Hove has moved a step closer.

The City Health Partnership met to discuss outlawing the habit yesterday after the city's Primary Care Trust (PCT) called for the introduction of tough measures to protect people from illnesses caused by passive smoking.

The PCT is backing Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer for England and Wales, who believes Britain should adopt New York-style measures where lighting up is banned in bars, clubs and restaurants.

Members of the partnership, including academics, councillors, health professionals and voluntary groups, agreed such a policy was the best way forward.

Although pushing for a ban is not yet formal policy, they will now start to canvass opinion from interested parties across the city, assess possible health and economic impacts and investigate if the Department of Health is planning any legislation on a national level.

The meeting also heard Birmingham's director of public health has called for a ban on smoking. Members of the partnership agreed to contact the local authority to see if they could work together in the future.

Terry Blair-Stevens, healthy city manager at Brighton and Hove PCT, said: "We are all in agreement that the chief medical officer's proposal is good.

"All the public health evidence is this would be of benefit but we have to win support at a local level."

The partnership has no power to legislate a ban on smoking and any new measures are still a long way off.

Mr Blair-Stevens said: "There are huge benefits in making Brighton and Hove smoke free but we are not at that stage yet.

"Unless we listen to people carefully and help them understand the health and economic implications, a ban will not work."

Since we revealed plans for a ban last week, a number of smokers and non-smokers have been in contact with their views.

Most people are supportive of strict measures, even if they smoke, and this feeling was reflected during yesterday's meeting.

Mr Blair-Stevens said: "One of our members is a smoker and he let the partnership understand just how difficult it can be for people to give up. But even he was supportive of a total ban on smoking as it should help those trying to quit."

Wednesday July 30, 2003