Bar, pub, club and catering staff belonging to the Transport and General Workers’ Union (T&G) voted in favour of an outright ban on smoking in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, yesterday (7 June).

The union said the vote comes amid increasing concerns that existing legislation fails to protect both workers and the public from the effects of passive smoking.

T&G national organiser for food and agriculture, Brian Revell, said: “It is unacceptable that our members working in the leisure industry continue to be confronted by smoky environments which can damage their health and even be fatal.

“The feedback from our members working in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants is that smoking in their workplaces is as prevalent as ever and a ban is now necessary.”

The vote follows a survey by MINTEL last month, which found that 52 per cent of British adults are in favour of a total ban on smoking in public places. Leisure Opportunities also reported yesterday that the Scottish Executive has launched a consultation on smoking in public places – which has been welcomed by the British Medical Association Scotland.