Tobias Tobias Ellwood MP will today urge the Government to put an end to passive smoking when he backs plans for a total ban on smoking in public places.

Conservative MPs will today have a free vote on smoking ban elements of the Government's Health Bill. Tobias will use his vote to enforce a realistic and workable ban on smoking that should cut rates of smoking related deaths.

Tobias said:

"The majority of smokers I know want to give up and feel that a blanket ban would help them quit the habit. I am always suspicious of legislation that restricts the ability of individuals to engage in lawful activity but this is an exceptional case. Cigarette manufacturers are selling a product that contains addictive and extremely harmful substances and it is time to help put a stop to the damage this is causing to public health."

There is a strong argument for smokers' rights but this must also be balanced by the fact that everyone has the right to choose whether or not to breathe in second hand smoke. I cannot see any justification for knowingly endangering the health of those around you. Introducing a complete ban will have a huge impact on public health and it is very hard to find a reason to deny this would be a good thing for us all."

The Conservative Party opposed the 2005 Labour manifesto commitment to imposing a ban on smoking in only those pubs which serve food. The proposed partial ban was widely seen as impractical and as failing to tackle health inequalities. The Government has since abandoned this policy and the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has performed a sharp about-turn and will now be voting for a complete ban, effectively opposing her own legislation.