PROPOSALS to ban smoking in workplaces and most pubs could be a turning point in the battle to improve the region's poor health, according to health bosses.

Responding to yesterday's White Paper Dr Bill Kirkup, regional director of public health for the North-East, said the package of proposals was a golden opportunity to do something about the region's appalling health statistics.

Dr Eugene Milne, deputy medical director for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, said: "This does not go as far as I would have liked personally, but it will take us a huge way in that direction."

Bob Gibson, of the Association of North-East Councils and the North-East Assembly, said: "While we welcome the proposals in the White Paper, we do not feel they have gone far enough in terms of banning smoking in all public places."

According to Durham University, life expectancy in the North-East is the lowest in England.

The smoking rate for women in the North-East is the highest in England and the figure for men is above average. The region also has problems with obesity and the highest rate of average weekly alcohol consumption.

Dr Kirkup said the White Paper "represents a real opportunity to tackle the deep-seated health problems of the North-East."

One pub/restaurant that has banned smoking is now attracting customers from across the region.

Simon Adamson, general manager of the Spotted Dog, in High Coniscliffe, Darlington, said it had lost some of its regular drinkers but that was compensated for by more customers going there to eat.