Opinion: Smoking ban is only way to protect children

The case also offers perhaps the most compelling justification for the Government's proposed ban on smoking in public places.

The vast majority of people say they disapprove of smoking around children.

But despite widespread knowledge of the dangers involved, including the heightened risk of cot death, bacterial meningitis, asthma and other breathing problems, almost a third of smokers admit to smoking when children are around.

Clearly something more than gentle reasoning is needed to persuade people to refrain from smoking in the close company of children.

Yet the Health Improvement and Protection Bill, which would introduce the smoking ban, is expected to be among the most controversial pieces of legislation of the next session. It has not yet been tabled - and isn't expected to be before the autumn. But already there are critics lining up to have a go at what are widely assumed to be the Government's proposals.