Doctors are calling for laws to ban smoking in public places to be introduced “as soon as possible”.

A report from the British Medical Association warns 1,000 people are dying every year as a result of passive smoking.

It also calls for a new tax on all tobacco company profits, which it wants to be ploughed in to public awareness campaigns on the health risks of passive smoking.

The BMA says the money could also be put towards the development of smoke-free public places.

The charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has also announced it is to press for a Bill outlawing smoking at work to be introduced, to protect workers from the effects of passive smoking.

It would impose a general ban, but allow exemptions in some circumstances, such as in residential homes.

Eighty per cent of the population do not smoke.

But a quarter live with a smoker, and millions are exposed to smoke fumes in public places.

Vulnerable groups

The BMA says a public place is any enclosed space with public access, such as shops, banks, taxicabs, and the workplace.

A recent poll showed 86% of people were in favour of smoking restrictions at work. But the BMA estimates 3m people are still exposed to tobacco smoke while at work.

It says there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

And it warns certain groups are especially vulnerable.

Passive smoking has been linked to lung cancer, heart and circulation problems in adults.

The BMA said those at risk include:

• 8m with lung disease
• 2.1m with angina
• 1.3m who have had a heart attack
• 300,000 who have had a stroke
• 10.8m women of childbearing age
• 750,000 pregnant women

The BMA says children, who make up 20% of the population, are also at risk including the 1.5m who have asthma.

Passive smoking has also been linked with an increased risk of meningitis, cot death and chest infections in children.

Other recommendations of the report include:

• Public information campaigns on the health risks of passive smoking
• Health warnings on cigarettes should make clear the risks, specifically to babies, children, pregnant women and those with heart and lung diseases

Source: BBC News