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Health Bill

I am most grateful, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Indeed, I said that the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended but that we were proceeding in the spirit of devolution. In making our judgment about licensed premises, we have taken into account the fact that England already has the lowest smoking rates in the United Kingdom. Our smoking rates have fallen faster and to a lower level than is the case in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We have also taken account of the tension in public attitudes. I referred earlier to the extensive public consultation that we conducted before publishing the ““Choosing Health”” White Paper. It demonstrated enormous support for a ban on smoking in restaurants and pubs where meals are served. People clearly want to be able to enjoy their meal without someone blowing smoke over their food and into their face. Similarly, people want an extensive ban in most enclosed public spaces, but when they are asked about membership clubs and pubs that do not serve food, most of those who do not smoke—the majority—believe that smokers, even though they are a minority, should none the less have some freedom of choice. They clearly view membership clubs as private clubs run by members for members. Such clubs have always been treated differently from other licensed premises because they are non-profit-making organisations.