SMOKING is to be completely banned from Ipswich Regent from the start of next month, it was announced today.Currently the only part of the council-owned theatre where smoking is still allowed is the outer foyer, but this will be stopped at the end of next week.

SMOKING is to be completely banned from Ipswich Regent from the start of next month, it was announced today.

Currently the only part of the council-owned theatre where smoking is still allowed is the outer foyer, but this will be stopped at the end of next week.

The ban has been brought in after requests from staff who are fed up with working in a smoky atmosphere – and was backed up after this week's national report on the dangers of passive smoking.

Ipswich Council's leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry said: "It isn't pleasant in there when there is a cloud of smoke.

"Also it's an old building and you get people lighting up as they walk down the stairs – it's not a good idea to have people smoking in there.

"Especially in the winter you want to keep the doors to the outside closed so the smell of the smoke gets everywhere."

The decision comes less than a week after a report which revealed the dangers of passive smoking are far worse than previously thought.

The report by the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health revealed passive smoking increased the risk of lung cancer by 24 per cent and heart disease by 25pc.

The committee also said children and babies exposed to smoke were at a high risk of developing illnesses such as asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis.

Also last week, Liverpool became the first city to vote for a ban on smoking in public places.

The city hopes to take a similar stance to that seen in Ireland, which has already introduced a ban.

However, the Liverpool ban cannot go ahead yet because the government has to introduce new legislation to allow it.

Liverpool has one of the worst cancer-related death rates in the UK and it is hoped a public places ban would encourage more people to give up.

If the ban went ahead, anyone caught smoking would be prosecuted by the city council and could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Do you think smoking should be banned in public places? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk