LANDLORD Terry Daly said today he had been "inundated" with calls from doctors and nurses supporting his stance after he ordered young mum who was smoking in front of her son to leave his pub.

The Evening Press reported on Friday that the 56-year-old, who runs the Old Grey Mare pub, in Clifton Green, York, told Donna Palmer, 19, to go after lecturing her on exposing 15-month-old Kiegan to her smoke.

Today, Mr Daly said his actions were nothing personal against Ms Palmer, and said people should not blame her, but the Government for allowing people to smoke in front of children.

"The phone has been non-stop from doctors and nurses supporting what I did and people have been coming up to me in the street saying 'well done'," he said.

"A nurse said she was looking after a little boy in hospital who was in there because his parents smoked.

"I think people should stop blaming Donna and get the elected Government to sort the mess out. I'm upset she's had so much adverse publicity. She was naive and made a mistake, but hopefully she has learned from it. I don't regret what I did."

Ms Palmer, a 15-a-day smoker who has been heavily criticised for her actions by Evening Press readers, was drinking and smoking in the pub's pool room when she was asked to leave.

Mr Daly said he was concerned that Kiegan had been exposed to the smoke all afternoon.

"I've had no problems since the story went in - I just wanted to have my say," said Ms Palmer, of Princess Drive, Acomb.

"I don't smoke a lot in front of my son and only go to the pub once or twice a month.

"We do a lot together and go to the park.

Mr Daly said: "I hope no one has vilified Donna in the street or anything like that. The Government should pull their finger out and make a decision about this issue. There are more laws protecting the health of foxes than young children in this country."

Research shows that almost half of all children in the UK are exposed to tobacco smoke at home - making them twice as likely to have asthma attacks and infections.

Updated: 09:55 Wednesday, December 21, 2005