In many people's minds, the big health threat from smoking - whether it be to the smokers themselves or to those who inhale second-hand smoke - is to the lungs and heart.

It is certainly true that lung and heart disease go hand in hand with smoking. But as Dr Vinod Joshi, a consultant in restorative dentistry at St Luke's Hospital, points out, it is also a major factor in mouth cancer. Dr Joshi, a member of the Chief Dental Officer's advisory group on oral cancer and tobacco control and a member of the Mouth Cancer Awareness Week committee, has added his influential voice to the expanding chorus of people who want a total ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants.

The pressure for such a ban is growing, particularly from those in the medical profession who have to deal with the consequences of smoking. More and more experts are coming out in support of the total ban called for in the Telegraph & Argus's Clear the Air campaign.

As the chief executive of the British Dental Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, points out, a smoking ban would result in people smoking less and would also cut down on the vast number of social smokers who only smoke when they go out for a drink. He might have added that it would also support the rights of those who never smoke and who want to enjoy their drinks in an unpolluted environment.

With the lobby in favour of a ban producing such strong arguments surely the Government must now bow to them and toughen up its half-hearted proposals.