After the total ban on smoking was passed in public places a Labour Party division was opened. According to Patricia Hewitt the move was quite expected. This comment made by the Health Secretary will be a protest against the partial ban plans by the government. 

Last month the government was against imposing a full ban on smoking. However after a struggle with the cabinet involving Patricia Hewitt and John Reid, the Defence Secretary, smoking was allowed in those pubs only, which do not serve food. This has urged the Chief Medical Officer to disclose that he considered the partial ban on smoking as unworkable.

MPs of the Labour party who wish for a complete ban on smoking are posing a rebellion when the Health Bill will be introduced for a second reading. The Health Secretary made it clear on a television news channel that she still insists on a complete ban on smoking. She said that complete ban on smoking was a simpler thing to do and time will tell when a total ban will be achieved.

Patricia Hewitt was on the verge of encouraging officials from the Labour Party by saying that by 2007, 99 per cent of the work force in UK would be working in a smoke-free environment. A general practitioner and an MP said that about forty labour officials feel strongly for a complete ban and might rebel. He added that smoking is harmful and the damages caused by it are very certain.

The Health Secretary also defended the government on the shortage of the flu vaccines in the country. She said that it is not necessary for everyone to need a flu vaccine but the fact was that more people were being vaccinated than before and the NHS should be proud of it.