DOCTORS HIT OUT AT ANTI-SMOKING PLANS

THE BRITISH Medical Association today accused the Government of
'ducking its reponsibility' in its new White Paper on smoking.

The Government has pledged to implement an EC Directive to phase out
tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

The UKP100m campaign aims to cut the number of people smoking by 1.5m
in the UK by 2010.

But the BMA said it was disappointed the Government had rejected a ban
on smoking in the workplace.

"The Government has ducked its responsibility to give a firm
regulatory lead on a vital health and safety issue," said BMA chairman
Dr Ian Bogle.

"There is much to welcome in the White Paper's analysis of the smoking
challenge, but the approach is weakened by excessive reliance on
protocols, charters and codes of practice.

Among the measures in the paper are: the availability of smoking
cessation services including free starter packs of nicotine
replacement therapy to 'motivated quitters'; tougher new restrictions
on the siting of vending machines in pubs and clubs; public education
campaigns targeting children, teenagers, the less well off and
pregnant women; and new criminal offences considered for repeated
sales of tobacco to underage children.

Health Minister John McFall said: "There are about 120,000 deaths
every year in the UK due to smoking, 3,000 of them in Northern Ireland.

"The appalling human tragedy behind these bald statistics demand that
the government takes a lead in establishing a programme of measures
that will fundamentally change the position of tobacco in the public
consciousness."

Checked-by: derek rea