Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has hinted that a full smoking ban in all public areas in England will eventually be inevitable.

Speaking at the British Medical Association’s (BMA) conference in Manchester on 18 June, Hewitt said public pressure could lead to a total ban in all enclosed areas.

“As public feeling continues to strenghten, it is probably only a matter of time before we end up in the same position as Scotland,” she said.

Plans to ban smoking only in pubs offering food by 2008 were included in the Queen’s Speech at the opening of Parliament on 17 May.

The BMA has strongly opposed a partial ban