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 The report, commissioned by London Mayor Boris Johnson, aims to
combat the threats posed by tobacco, alcohol, obesity, lack of
exercise and pollution and bills itself as the biggest public health
drive in the world.
Its author, surgeon and former Health Minister Lord Ara Darzi, said
the "Better health for London" blueprint could equally well be
applied to all Britain's cities.
Around one fifth of Londoners still smoke, causing 8,400 early
deaths each year, and as many as 67 schoolchildren in the capital
take up the habit every day, it said.
"The Mayor should use his by-law powers to make Trafalgar Square and
Parliament Square smoke free," Darzi said in a statement. "It would
be a powerful message for the iconic center of our city and the
political heart of our country to become smoke free."
Johnson should also use his influence over the Royal Parks, the
board of which he appoints, to introduce a ban, while local councils
would pass similar by-laws for their open spaces.
London has 20,000 acres of parks and open space, covering 40 percent
of the city, more than any other world capital.
Britain banned smoking in public workspaces including bars and
restaurants in 2007 and huddled groups of smokers puffing away
outside office buildings are a common sight in London.
Smoking is already banned in parks in several other global cities,
including the 800-acre Central Park in New York.
Former New York Mayor Bloomberg called the London plan a "major
achievement."
He added in a statement: "Breathing tobacco smoke whether indoors or
outdoors is harmful to your health. That’s why we made Central Park
and all of New York City’s parks and beaches smoke-free, along with
all indoor workplaces."
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Johnson himself was due to unveil the plan later on Wednesday but
has not yet endorsed its recommendations. He has said that if a ban
were to be considered, there would have to be clear evidence it
would have direct health benefits.
But the idea has already drawn fire from pro-smoking lobbies.
"A ban on smoking in parks and squares would be outrageous," said
Simon Clark, director of Forest, which campaigns on behalf of
smokers. "There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker. If
you don't like the smell, walk away."
He added in a statement: "The next thing you know we'll be banned
from smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels
over the fence."
(Reporting by Stephen Addison; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
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