Liverpool is pressing ahead for a blanket ban on smoking in all public places across the city, despite the Government’s decision to opt for a partial ban.

The city council has already written to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to allow its bill to run alongside Government plans as a pilot scheme.

The letter states: “We have already made it clear that we do not believe partial exemptions make good sense, but simply exacerbate existing health inequalities.

“Our bill gives an opportunity to test that belief, and perhaps give a positive direction to future Government policy.”

Liverpool’s smoking bill, which was issued under a local act of Parliament, has already received a second reading in the Lords in July and was now scheduled to go before a House of Lords committee in January.

By Angela Frewin

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