Editorial Speaking out on the ineffectiveness of voluntary measures to reduce smoking in public places, the British Medical Association (BMA) has recently urged the Government to introduce legislation to protect people from second-hand tobacco smoke.

In a report entitled Towards smoke free places, published on 6 November, the BMA has renewed its calls for smoke-free public places and a total ban of smoking in the workplace. In the report, doctors warn that around 1,000 people are dying annually as a result of passive smoking and that there are no safe levels of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Interestingly, the report concludes that government initiatives to tackle the issue of smoking in public places - which centre on voluntary measures, partial smoking restrictions and the use of ventilation - are wholly inadequate.

However, on 20 November, Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced government plans to step up the fight against smoking. In a speech to launch the Government's Cross-cutting review of health inequalities, Mr Milburn announced details of a ground-breaking "cash-back" agreement with the pharmaceutical industry for smoking cessation products, government-allocated funds of £15m over the next three years for public information campaigns, and larger stark health warnings on cigarette packets, to be introduced by the end of 2003. It is hoped that this emphasis on prevention rather than cure can drastically cut the death rates from smoking-related disease and reduce the annual £1.7bn cost to the NHS.

In this issue, EHJ looks at the work being jointly undertaken by the environmental health service at Leeds City Council and the Leeds Health Authority on the voluntary provision of smoke-free areas in the city's hospitality premises. The results of a wide-ranging survey and targeted pilot visits to public houses are discussed and the conclusions make interesting reading.

Then, we take a look at the work being done in Birmingham on smoke-free areas. The environmental and consumer services department has been working on the formation of a tobacco control alliance, but within the city, compliance with the public places charter has been found to be very low. A project - smoke-free Birmingham - has been looking to increase consumer awareness on the choice and access to smoke -free environments and the effectiveness of face-to-face promotion of the public places charter to bring this about.

On a completely different note, Dagmar Engel looks at the importance of motivated training in Haccp systems. Outlining some of the fundamental failures of many Haccp training courses, she looks at the seven mortal sins in current training and offers five golden rules, that if followed, can elevate Haccp training onto a new plane.
Then, we look at an innovative partnership that is being forged in the West Midlands to improve property standards and the environment. "Homestamp" is a partnership between local authorities, the fire service, the police and local landlords that is working to provide practical solutions to community problems. Nick Warburton reports.

There is currently little literature around on the environmental health aspects of health needs assessment (HNA). Jill Stewart and Fiona Bushell look to put some questions and answers to rest on this issue. In a practical and informative feature, they discuss what is meant by HNA, how to set about compiling the required data and what the end uses of such data can achieve.

Finally, a very happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers. Once again we are running the annual Christmas card appeal for the charity Water for Kids, which has been tirelessly working all year to use environmental health principles to improve sanitation in the developing world - a special card can be found in this issue.

Tracey Khanna
Editor