PRESSURE is growing on the Government to bring in a total ban on smoking in public places.

Selby MP John Grogan is one of 64 backbench labour MPs who have signed a motion calling for a free vote in Parliament, putting the pressure on Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Grogan also tackled Mr Blair on the issuee at the last Prime Minister's Question Time before Christmas.

"A complete ban is the only option which makes sense not least because it clears up the confusion for people in the hospitality industry," he said.

"I chair the All Party Beer Group, and through that I know more and more figures in the industry are in favour of a complete ban because they want certainty and a level playing field between clubs, who as things stand would be able to serve smokers, and pubs that serve food, who could not."

The Evening Press and the York and Selby Primary Care Trust are behind the Yes To Clean Air campaign, which calls for smoking to be banished from all workplaces.

Jon Mager, director of children, family and adult services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has joined other directors of children's services across the country to lobby the government for a total ban on smoking in public places.

A letter has been sent to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, and signed by 34 directors of children's services.

Mr Mager said: "Passive smoking is a major threat to the health of children, and most habitual smokers start as children."

Patrick Scott, City of York Council's director of children's services, said although he had not signed the letter, he was also in favour of a total ban. He said: "I think the fact there are only 34 signatories is an indication of how busy directors are just now, rather than the level of support for a ban."

Updated: 09:56 Wednesday, December 21, 2005