BEING in a smokey pub, restaurant, bar or office dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease.

That's the finding of top medical advisers, and it comes only days before Poole council is due to reveal the results of its own study to assess the impact of smoking in public places.

According to national reports the new information was given to the health minister, John Reid, six months ago but only became public this week.

During the past year Poole has carried out a £20,000 project of extensive public consultation and research as a working group considers whether the town should introduce a ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Such a move would outlaw smoking in places such as pubs, shops and restaurants.

Since Poole started its research the smoking issue has increased in national prominence with expectations that an imminent government white paper may soon bring a UK-wide ban similar to one introduced in Ireland this year.

But the town will continue with its carefully timetabled programme, according to Cllr Peter Adams, one of the instigators of the borough's great debate research.

The working group meets next Monday and will release its findings the following day.

The latest study by the government's scientific committee on tobacco and health found the chance of contracting heart or lung disease increases by at least 25 per cent among those exposed to second-hand smoke, and even higher for people who live with a smoker.

Cllr Adams said: "This new data merely improves the certainty of what was already known.

"I welcome this report. It confirms very much why we started down this route a year ago to consider controlling smoking in public in Poole."

He said once the council's findings were revealed next week, the public would be invited to comment further before the authority considered its next step - likely to be taken early in the new year.

Cllr Adams added: "We are waiting to see what is in the government's own white paper. Within five years I believe there will be a smoking ban in public places in the UK.

"Poole is ahead of the government in all areas. We have done the proper research."

First published: Oct 20