Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced that smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces will be banned from 1 July 2007.

Pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs will all be affected by the new legislation, which follows similar bans in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and many states in the US. “This is a triumph for public health,” said Hewitt.

“Thousands of people’s lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected.” The issue of a blanket ban has caused much controversy, with pro-smoking groups such as Forest saying that it is a human rights infringement and environmental groups voicing concerns over the litter left by smokers congregating on the street and the energy used by patio heaters in outdoor smoking areas.

England will be the last country in the UK to implement the ban, with both Northern Ireland and Wales introducing it next April.

Leisure businesses such as pubs and restaurants will have to display no smoking signs and further information to support the introduction of the ban is available from www.smokefreeengland.com