LORD Stoddart has hit out at plans to curb smoking in pubs and clubs as "political correctness".

The former Swindon Labour MP heavily criticised the move, which the Government says is vital to protect the health of workers in bars and other enclosed public spaces.

Lord Stoddart a former smoker said it was wrong to restrict the freedom of individuals to have a cigarette if they wanted.

And he insisted, despite Govern-ment assurances, that the new restrictions were a way of sneaking in a total ban.

He said: "I am afraid it is not good enough for the anti-smoking zealots, who see this measure as a further milestone towards an absolute ban on smoking tobacco."

Lord Stoddart claimed the Tobacco Smoking Bill was being driven by health scares which were not supported by facts.

He also refuted claims by medical researchers that more than 100,000 die each year from smoking diseases in the UK.

The peer added: "The rabid anti-smoking lobby may well be obstructing deeper investigation and research into the causes of so-called smoking related diseases, and researchers who dare to question the currently politically correct view."