When MPs are given a free vote on an issue and are able to vote according to conscience, this means that we usually get an excellent debate on the Floor of the House of Commons.
It was true in the debate about banning hunting with dogs, as well as in the debate about stem cell research. I remember the passion and commitment expressed in these debates very well. There's a great freedom in being able to speak openly and to vote entirely according to your own beliefs. This week, I hope taht we will have had a similarly spirited debate about smoking in the House of Commons.
By the time this column is published, we will have had both a debate and a free vote on the issue of smoking in pubs and clubs. As it stands, the Health Bill would still allow private clubs and pubs that do not serve food to continue to allow smoking. I, along with many of my fellow MPs, will be voting instead for a comprehensive smoking ban in clubs and pubs in England. In the free vote, I'll be voting smokefree.
I support the Smokefree Action Coalition which is pressing for a total ban - this includes many of Britain's leading medical and health organisations like Cancer Research UK, the BMA, the Royal College of Physicians, ASH, the British Heart Foundation and Asthma UK.
We all recognise that there is overwhelming evidence about the damaging effects of secondhand smoke and that it would be irresponsible to deny all workers the same protection. In addition, within the last week, researchers have said that a partial ban would make health inequalities even worse since pubs in poorer areas are less likely to serve food and so would be exempt from the ban as the Bill now stands.
If you're a regular reader of this column, you'll know that I've rehearsed the arguments for a total ban on smoking in most workplaces and enclosed public places several times. Given the clear dangers of secondhand smoke, I think that this is one of the biggest steps forward we could take for public health across the UK as a whole. It would protect members of the public and workers alike - all, not just some.
The Bill will also give the National Assembly the powers to implement the comprehensive ban in Wales that it has voted for and Scotland and Northern Ireland look set to follow suit.
NOTE: This article was written before Tuesday's vote. |
