A Bradford mouth cancer expert is backing calls for a total ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants.

Dr Vinod Joshi, a consultant in restorative dentistry at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford and a member of the Chief Dental Officer's advisory group on oral cancer and tobacco control, said he agreed with the British Dental Health Foundation call for the Government to make a blanket ban part of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill. The Bill goes before Parliament in November - the same month as Mouth Cancer Awareness Week.

Dr Joshi, who is a member of the Mouth Cancer Awareness Week committee, believes a high proportion of mouth cancers could be prevented if a total ban was implemented.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed last year that one-inthree deaths over the age of 35 in Bradford was smoking-related and launched the Clear the Air campaign calling for a full ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.

The medical profession is now increasing pressure on the Government to implement such a ban. Current proposals are for a ban in pubs and clubs that sell food, with non-food selling premises given a choice.

The British Dental Foundation believes a total ban would result in people smoking less and fewer people smoking, which in turn would lead to a reduction in tobacco-related illness, such as mouth cancer.

Chief executive of the foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: "Smoking causes all manner of oral and general health problems.

"In the UK someone dies every five hours as a result of mouth cancer. Smoking is the main cause of the condition and people who smoke and drink alcohol are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

"A smoking ban would result in people smoking less, while it would also cut down on the vast number of social smokers who only smoke when they go out for a drink".

The British Medical Association is also urging the Government to go for a total ban on smoking in public places.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, BMS's head of science and ethics, said the Government's plans to exempt licensed premises that do not service food are "arbitrary, inequitable and have no basis in the health evidence".

The BMA concludes "that second-hand smoke kills, whether or not there are pies with the pints."