COUNCIL bosses have been criticised for urging residents to support a total ban on smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces.

Pro-smoking group Forest said Hartlepool Borough Council was wrong to ask the public to back its beliefs on public smoking, and said it should merely be trying to gauge opinion.

It hit out at the authority after residents were asked to take part in a national Government consultation on the smoke-free elements of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill.

The Government is proposing a ban on smoking in indoor public places and is appealing for feedback by September 5.

The council's adult and public health services portfolio holder, Councillor Ray Waller, has pressed for a ban, with no exemptions, and is urging people to support him.

"I fully support moves to make all indoor public places and workplaces completely smoke-free, with no exemptions for the hospitality industry or others," he said.

But Forest accused the council of "forcing" its own opinions onto residents.

A spokesman said: "The council is there to listen to people's opinions, not force their own policies down people's throats.

"We believe there is a clear public majority in favour of choice. The polls have shown that three-quarters of the public want to see freedom of choice and are against an outright ban.

"We want the publicans and restaurant owners to decide their own policies, in consultation with their staff and customers."

Anti-smoking group Smoke Free North-East, with funding from primary care trusts, has produced postcards supporting the smoking ban for people to sign.

They will be available from Hartlepool Civic Centre, libraries and Housing Hartlepool offices.