GOVERNMENT plans to restrict smoking in public places have disappointed health and community bosses in Dorset, who say they don't go far enough.

Poole's director of public health, Dr Adrian Dawson, and Cllr Peter Adams, who is behind plans for a ban on smoking in the borough, have both expressed concern that the proposals by Health Secretary John Reid in the White Paper on public health did not call for an outright ban.

Hailed as the biggest shake-up in public health for many years the document released yesterday covers areas such as smoking, diet, fitness and sexual health.

It sees smoking banned over the next four years in all restaurants as well as pubs and bars serving food while other pubs, bars and membership clubs will be able to decide for themselves whether to implement a no-smoking policy or not.

The proposals also state that all enclosed public places and workplaces, other than licensed premises, and all government departments are to become smoke-free.

And the White Paper includes a commitment to cut the number of people in the UK who smoke by two million over the next five years.

Other plans outlined in the White Paper include putting warnings on many alcohol products to encourage sensible drinking, personal fitness instructors on the NHS to help obese patients improve their own well-being, clearer labelling of food content and curbs on the promotion of unhealthy food to children.

Money will also be invested in more school nurses, increasing PE in schools and reducing sexually transmitted infections.

Dr Dawson said: "It's good the government has recognised the problem and is going to take action through legislation.

"Compared with what we've done over the years, that's progress. But I'm disappointed that there's not an outright ban.

"They're going to have to consult on whether there's going to be a ban, how to enforce it and how to define a pub that serves food."

Dr Dawson added he was pleased the Borough of Poole was still pressing ahead with plans for a ban after the public voted in favour for action to be taken and that he was looking forward to discussing the points raised in the paper with the local authority.

Cllr Peter Adams welcomed John Reid's White Paper.

He said: "Obviously we welcome anything that helps control smoking in public places.

"It's a big step forward. Restaurants are now going to be smoke-free, pubs that serve food are now going to be smoke-free, which is wonderful news.

"Generally speaking on behalf of Borough of Poole, this will be something of prime concern when we have a meeting to finally put together a recommendation to the services overview group."

But Cllr Adams expressed the same concerns as Dr Dawson.

He said: "I have some concern about clarity and confusion regarding what's a pub that serves food and what's not.

"What's a workplace? Is that just the bar of the pub, or does that include when they go out and collect glasses?"

Paul Chadwick, head teacher at Turlin Moor Community Middle School in Poole, praised the document for its commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle in Britain.

He said: "There's a Healthy Schools scheme which we're part of, so we would welcome any initiative that makes us a healthier place.

"We did a sponsored skip recently to raise money for the Healthy Heart Foundation and we are increasingly making children aware of their health.

"We are keen to support anything which promotes healthy living."

First published: November 17