The Labour Party is considering introducing a smoking ban in public places, if they win the next election. A Labour spokesman has confirmed the idea was being considered but insisted that nothing had been decided yet.
According to draft manifesto policy documents seen by the Guardian newspaper, the reason for discussion is to protect the health of children and young people.
This comes as scientists claim that the risks of passive smoking could be twice as bad as previously feared.
Do you think smoking in public places should be banned regardless of who wins the next election? What is your opinion on the risks of passive smoking?
This debate has now finished. Thank you for your comments.
Your comments:
I sincerely hope that this proposal encourages all the other major parties to adopt a similar stance and then whoever wins the election, the ban will be inevitable regardless.
Craig Cockburn, Scotland
Smoking causes a drain on the NHS so apart from the issue of passive smoking risks, the banning of smoking will save lives and money. It is absolutely disgusting under these circumstances that the matter should even be discussed further or delayed. This ban should come into force immediately.
Raymond Rudaizky, London, U.K.
I am not politically motivated and have not voted in a number of years. But, the party that promises to bring in a policy of a ban on smoking in public places would get my vote. Sorry Mum.
Richard Toulson, Dumfries, Scotland It's a good idea banning smoking in public places. But, so is banning alcohol, banning cars, banning loud music, banning pop idols, banning house parties, banning underage pregnancies, banning night clubs etc...
Mustafa Yorumcu, UK/Turkey
Why are those so obsessed with banning smoking not so vocal on the dangers of the millions of vehicles that daily pump their exhaust fumes into our air? None of the lobbyist on the smoking issue including the medical profession seem to care about this type of pollution obviously because it would affect too many of these self righteous people.
John, Worthing West Sussex
 |  It's nice to go home after a night out not smelling like an ashtray.  |
Having lived in New York I can tell you that the no smoking ban there has not put people off going to bars or restaurants. Its nice to go home after a night out not smelling like an ashtray.
W.Cowell, Hove UK Smoking kills, it's as simple as that. It kills the smoker and it kills those nearby. We banned guns and we should ban smoking.
Danny, London
I don't smoke. I prefer the non smoking part of a restaurant. But I totally reject the right of the government to ban smoking in all public places, especially pubs. The most they should do is to empower managers of such places to ban smoking if the manager so desires.
Phil, UK
| If I want to harm myself, I should be able to do it |
When will politicians let people manage their own lives? If I want to harm myself, I should be able to do it. If I'm outside I don't believe that I'm really harming anyone.
Will, Pittsburgh, US I love smoking. It's a personal pleasure. But recently I have come to the realisation that forcing my smoke on others, particularly children is simply unacceptable. I now support a ban.
Chopski, London
Banning smoking in my local pub will certainly stop me going there, why not have a local vote of all the regulars in a local pub, and if the majority want to ban it fine. if not then non smokers, including staff, could move to a pub that does not allow it, once again decided on by a local vote. A blanket ban is undemocratic, and the Labour party will certainly lose my vote if they put this on their manifesto
Dave Hayzen-Smith, Burton on Trent UK
| Why don't we just ban coffee drinking and any other small pleasures we may have |
No people should be able to choose, not be told what and where they can and can't do. Where will the tax man get his money from the short fall of people stopping smoking! Why don't we just ban coffee drinking and any other small pleasures we may have.
David, Glasgow It will be good if it is banned. There will be less cancer and less strain on the NHS budget. Then hospital beds can go to people who really need them.
Setsuna Sakurazaki, London
Tony Blair should be banned from public places.
Gerry Noble, Salisbury, UK
It's odd how young smokers try and defend their right to smoke anywhere whilst anyone lying in a hospital bed coming to the end of their self-shortened life would probably wish someone had stopped them smoking when they were young. There are times when doing something is right, saying it's being done by the nanny state does not make it wrong.
John Kelly, Cardiff, Wales
Here we go again. Another election bribe. They said the same thing about fox hunting.
Gerry Noble, Salisbury, UK I'm sick to the back teeth of having to put up with smokers when I go out. They think they have the right to pollute the air and make it thoroughly unpleasant for the sensible majority. The sooner a ban comes into force, the better.
John, Luton, UK
The Ban in Ireland does not work, Pub Trade has gone down by 15% in the past two months. People are getting angry there - Wait until the dark winter nights there will be riots. Saying the ban on smoking in Ireland is a success is a complete spin, The reality is people are giving up on going out, socialising, The non smoker I have spoken to in Irish pubs moan about being left alone - The smoker leaves when they want a smoke and then goes home.
Anon, Ireland
| I totally appreciate not smelling of other people's cigarettes when I go out |
I quit smoking in August of last year and one of the things that helped me quit was that I wasn't able to smoke in public places. Had this law not been in place it would have been a lot harder to stay away from cigarettes. I don't miss them and I totally appreciate not smelling of other people's cigarettes when I go out.
Aftaab, Vancouver, Canada If the government decides to ban smoking, then I look forward to them banning cars. The passive inhalation of car fumes is not exactly healthy. Mind you, it is cheaper than fags.
Ian Mehrer, London
No - it should be down to individual businesses to set policy. If people want non-smoking establishments (note - they're private businesses, not public spaces) they will go there.
John, Leeds, UK
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