Peer fights the smoking ban (From This Is Wiltshire)

Peer fights the smoking ban

9:14am Thursday 6th July 2006 in

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A CONTROVERSIAL Swindon peer has demanded the Government explain why smoking is so bad.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon, pictured, who has previously tabled 27 amendments aimed at tearing apart the Health Bill in the House of Lords, suggested smoking was not bad for your health as research shows the number of people smoking has decreased but the number of asthmatics continues to rise.

He demanded Health Minister Lord Warner explain that finding.

But the minister refused to explain the connection and dismissively said: "I have already explained that second-hand smoke is a trigger for asthma."

Speaking during a bad-tempered debate in the House of Lords, Lord Stoddart said the decisions surrounding the smoking ban were lunatic in concept.

He said: "I do not smoke and the reason I am opposing this Bill is because of its intolerance and its removal of personal freedoms that people have enjoyed for hundreds of years.

"It is meant to be about protecting people. There is no real clinical evidence that second-hand smoke hurts anybody. However, the Government and anti-smoking lobby will not listen."

The Commons voted overwhelmingly to ban smoking in all pubs, private members clubs and workplaces in February.

Both Swindon's MPs Anne Snelgrove and Michael Wills voted to ban smoking in all pubs, private members clubs and workplaces within 18 months.

Last month the Swindon peer said the proposals to ban smoking in enclosed spaces, such as bus shelters and outside offices was taking the legislation too far.

Lord Stoddart was Swindon's Labour MP from 1970 to 1983.