SMOKING would be banned in York's restaurants and cafs under legislation being promoted by Hugh Bayley.

The city's Labour MP is sponsoring a hardline bill designed to cut deaths caused by the inhalation of passive smoke from cigarettes and cigars.

The Smoking (Restaurants) Bill, which cleared its first hurdle in the Commons earlier this week, would make it illegal to light up in any place where food is served.

It follows research that at least 165 bar staff - as well as 600 working in offices and 145 in manufacturing - die each year from passive smoking.

Mr Bayley said: "Smoking kills 120,000 people per year and it is bad enough when smokers kill themselves.

"It is even worse when the cause is passive smoking.

"I do not say smoking should be banned altogether, but non-smokers should be protected in public places from having to breathe in other people's smoke."

Reaction to a total smoking ban from York cafs and restaurants was mixed, with many saying voluntary clean air measures were enough.

Michael Hjort, of York Hospitality Association, said he thought there was little chance of the Bill actually becoming law anyway.

He said: "The dangers of passive smoke are well worth bringing to the public's attention, but this is the wrong way to go about it. An outright ban is not practical."

Fiona Hunter of Bettys caf, in St Helen's Square, York, said smoking had been stopped almost a year ago and the company, which would support a ban, had not received any complaints.

Tim Hornsby, of Fibbers caf bar, said he would oppose an outright ban, which he felt would hit busy bars and restaurants hard.

He said: "The answer is not an outright ban, it is to enforce better ventilation and smoke removal from existing premises."

Chris Pragnell, of Caf Number Eight, in Gillygate, said it was possible to keep smokers and non-smokers happy with separate areas and good ventilation.

Mr Bayley was among 115 MPs who voted for a smoking ban in both restaurants and pubs, while 43 opposed it.

Second-hand tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including arsenic, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and many other known poisons and carcinogens.

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, April 19, 2003