Leading cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Relief is delighted that MPs decided to save lives by voting for a full smoking ban in all pubs and clubs on Tuesday 14 February 2006.

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "We are delighted that Parliament has seen sense and has taken the single most effective step it can to cut horrible, painful lung cancer deaths. As Macmillan Cancer Relief knows only too well, smoking and passive smoking cause nine out of 10 lung cancers. This move will, quite rightly, protect the health of staff working in pubs and membership clubs as well as their patrons."

He was speaking after MPs voted for a full smoking ban, in both licensed premises and membership clubs, during the Health Bill Report Stage Debate.

Each year there are more than 37,000 new cases of lung cancer in the UK and many more people die from head, neck, throat and mouth cancers. A ban on smoking will be implemented in April in Scotland, where lung cancer deaths are particularly high, the Republic of Ireland introduced a ban in 2004, and a ban has also been announced for Northern Ireland.

Macmillan campaigned for a full ban on smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places in England, including all pubs and clubs. The full ban was backed by the Health Select Committee, who described proposals for a partial ban as 'unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable'. The Joint Committee on Human Rights also warned that exemptions for pubs and clubs could breach human rights legislation.

Public opinion was also in favour of comprehensive smokefree legislation. A major You Gov Poll in Dec 2005 found 71 per cent in favour of making all workplaces smokefree, including pubs and restaurants.

About Macmillan Cancer Relief

Macmillan Cancer Relief provides the expert care and emotional support that makes a real difference to people living with cancer. We offer a range of innovative cancer services and are at the heart of improving cancer care throughout the UK.

For cancer information and support, contact the Macmillan CancerLine (Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 6.00pm) by freephone: 0808 808 2020, textphone: 0808 808 0121 or email: cancerlinemacmillan; or log on to macmillan.

Macmillan Cancer Relief is a member of The UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC). This powerful coalition of the UK's leading lung cancer experts, senior NHS and Department of Health professionals, charities and healthcare companies is the UK's largest multi-interest group in lung cancer. It is the first time that all the major charities with an interest in the disease have joined forces to fight lung cancer.

HELP STOP PEOPLE DYING NEEDLESSLY FROM LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer claims the lives of 92 people a day but more could be saved if only it was detected earlier say Macmillan Cancer Relief and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. To find out more visit macmillan/lungcancer