Smoking in enclosed public places will be banned in England from 1st July 2007, the government has announced.

The ban covers virtually all enclosed work and public places including offices, factories, shops, pubs and bars, public transport and work vehicles.

The Health Secretary has launched a new Smokefree England campaign that will help the country's 3.7 million businesses to prepare for the implementation of the legislation.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said:

"The scientific and medical evidence is clear - second-hand smoke kills, causing a range of serious medical conditions including lung cancer, heart disease, and sudden infant death syndrome."

"This legislation will help to prevent the unnecessary deaths caused every year from second-hand smoke, and recognises that there is absolutely no safe level of exposure."

Cancer Research UK chief, Prof Alex Markham, said 1 July would be an "historic day". "Making workplaces and enclosed public places smoke free will bring about some of the most significant health improvements the country has seen in decades," he said.

Indoor smoking rooms, common in many workplaces, will also have to close and smokers will have to go outside.

This means the problem of cigarette related litter will increase significantly. If businesses wish to take responsibility for the environment and the appearance of their premises then they will have to create smoking designated areas.

www.smokefreeengland.co.uk