Passive smoking killing more than previously thought

Passive smoking is killing more than 11,000 people a year in the UK - much higher than previously thought, a new study shows. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, leading doctors said the findings proved a complete ban on smoking in public places was still needed. The British Medical Journal http://www.bmj.com also gives a figure for people dying from second-hand smoke in the workplace - 600 a year - for the first time. November's Public Health White Paper proposed a ban on smoking in public places with the exception of pubs that do not serve food. At the time, much of the medical establishment criticised the proposals for not going far enough. However, doctors have thrown their support behind Liverpool's bid to introduce a complete ban in all workplaces, which is due before the House of Lords later this month.