AS England takes part in World No Tobacco Day for the first time, doctors and cancer charities led calls for smoking to be outlawed in all public places.

Health minister Caroline Flint responded with a robust defence of New Labour's record on the issue. She announced an impressive hike in the number of people using NHS Stop Smoking Services to quit.

That follows a report which put Britain ahead of 27 other European states for the support offered to smokers wishing to give up.

So far, so promising. But the biggest single step to reducing the 100,000 British deaths caused by tobacco each year would be an outright ban on smoking in public places.

That looks some way off. Ms Flint insists that a partial ban was what the public wants. Her consultation is at odds with ours: a North Yorkshire survey found nearly two-thirds of people would support a total ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

For compelling health reasons, and with the support of most readers, the Evening Press is campaigning to bring an end to workplace smoking. Together with the Selby and York Primary Care Trust we launched Yes To Clean Air this month, aiming to persuade businesses to go smoke-free.

On World No Tobacco Day, we urge business leaders to stub out smoking on their premises. Join us, and help North and East Yorkshire breathe a little easier.

Updated: 11:30 Tuesday, May 31, 2005