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Trafalgar and Parliament squares smoking ban call Trafalgar and Parliament squares smoking ban call
(35 minutes later)
Smoking could be banned in Trafalgar and Parliament squares as well as the city's parks if a report by London's Health Commission is implemented.Smoking could be banned in Trafalgar and Parliament squares as well as the city's parks if a report by London's Health Commission is implemented.
Other measures put forward include Oyster card discounts for commuters who walk part of the way to work, and a ban on junk food shops near schools.Other measures put forward include Oyster card discounts for commuters who walk part of the way to work, and a ban on junk food shops near schools.
There should also be traffic light labelling on menus at restaurant chains with more than 15 outlets, it says.There should also be traffic light labelling on menus at restaurant chains with more than 15 outlets, it says.
The report has been put together by former health minister Lord Ara Darzi. Smokers' group Forest labelled the call for a smoking ban "outrageous".
The cancer surgeon's report, Better Health for London, claims half of all adults in London are obese or overweight, and the city now has more obese and overweight people than New York, Sydney, Sao Paolo, Madrid, Toronto and Paris. The report, called "Better Health for London", has been put together by former health minister and cancer surgeon Lord Ara Darzi.
In it he claims half of all adults in London are obese or overweight and the city now has more obese and overweight people than New York, Sydney, Sao Paolo, Madrid, Toronto and Paris.
About 1.2 million Londoners smoke, and the commission claims 67 school children take up the habit every day.About 1.2 million Londoners smoke, and the commission claims 67 school children take up the habit every day.
The smoke free plan would see the mayor use his by-law powers over Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square and his influence over the Royal Parks, the board of which he appoints.The smoke free plan would see the mayor use his by-law powers over Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square and his influence over the Royal Parks, the board of which he appoints.
Local councils could pass similar by-laws for their parks and open spaces.Local councils could pass similar by-laws for their parks and open spaces.
The implementation of the scheme has an estimated cost of £6.5m over five years.The implementation of the scheme has an estimated cost of £6.5m over five years.
Lord Darzi said: "London should lead the way for Britain, and the mayor should lead the way for London by acting to make our public spaces smoke free."Lord Darzi said: "London should lead the way for Britain, and the mayor should lead the way for London by acting to make our public spaces smoke free."
The Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Sally Davies said: "I welcome any measures to reduce both active smoking and its role modelling in front of children."
'Walk away'
Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: "A ban on smoking in parks and squares would be outrageous.
"There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker. If you don't like the smell, walk away.
"Tobacco is a legal product. If the Chief Medical Officer doesn't like people smoking in front of children she should lobby the government to introduce designated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs so adults can smoke inside in comfort.
"The next thing you know we'll be banned from smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels over the fence."
In 2011, New York introduced a ban on smoking in Central Park and all of the city's parks and beaches.In 2011, New York introduced a ban on smoking in Central Park and all of the city's parks and beaches.
The report also calls for planning guidance to prevent junk food outlets from opening within 400m (1,300ft) of schools, a minimum price for alcohol and a speeding up of air quality measures.The report also calls for planning guidance to prevent junk food outlets from opening within 400m (1,300ft) of schools, a minimum price for alcohol and a speeding up of air quality measures.