INTERQUITTY

INTERQUITTY
Passengers may be allowed to smoke on rail platforms again after rethink
By James Harper
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2007/09/16/interquitty-98487-19797365/
Smoking may be allowed on rail stations again under a rethink by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.

Passengers have inundated her office with complaints that the ban is ridiculous in open air non-enclosed areas.

Miss Kelly has told officials to draw up plans for limited smoking zones on platforms provided there is no nuisance to fellow rail-users.

The move has been backed by former Health Secretary John Reid, whose moderate plan to curb smoking in public places was scrapped after he was moved in a Cabinet reshuffle.

He said: "I have always favoured a degree of choice for adults and have always thought we have to be careful not to ban smoking everywhere outside the home, which could mean more smoking at home, which is far more dangerous for children."

But the move will be resisted by current Health Secretary Alan Johnson and the issue is expected to cause a Cabinet split. One factor behind the review is a slump in business for station cafes with outside tables since the July 1 ban.

Both Miss Kelly and Network Rail chief John Armitt have had letters from MPs urging designated smoking areas in unenclosed station areas - as applies in other public places.

One, Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell, said: "I accept the ban should apply on enclosed stations. But it is unnecessary on stations which are open."

But a Department of Health spokesman said: "Our private polls show the majority oppose any weakening of the ban."

And Network Rail continues to support the ban and says it "puts the interests of all customers first".

news@sundaymirror.co.uk