Daniel Yates: We were right to ask for people's views on smoking

Over the summer headlines across much of the local press and some national publications talked of a proposed ban on smoking across our famous city beaches.

This was far from accurate reporting but politicians have to accept that sometimes stories get skewed to suit the editorial approach of the press or sometimes just to make parts of local government seem slightly more interesting.

The reality was that the health and wellbeing board across the city was asking residents and visitors their views on a range of possible moves to try to reduce the effect of smoking in the city.

To say that Brighton has a problem with smoking is no overstatement '“ smoking levels in adults are higher than average and anything we can do to reduce those levels and lower the chances of children taking up smoking is a positive step towards better health and a more sustainable health system.

Residents and visitors answered the consultation in record numbers so maybe the publicity '“ however skewed '“ wasn't all bad as it clearly got people engaged in considering the options.

Options under consultation were there to judge public support for our existing voluntary ban in play areas right up to a full ban across all public open spaces.

Not a sham consultation with preconceived answers but a broad and open attempt to find out what measures Brighton and Hove would support and which would be unpalatable.

I'm delighted with the number of responses from across the board, and the clear message from the city and its visitors is that smoking bans near children's facilities (play areas, school gates and children's centres) are supported '“ while broader blanket bans in parks, squares and beaches are not.

I didn't ever stand for election to avoid taking difficult decisions and nor did I want to become some sort of advocate for the nanny state either.

We knew at the health and wellbeing board that there are no specific powers to enforce a ban and therefore public support and engagement for any future voluntary bans would be crucial.

That is why assessing the public mood for these moves was so very vital. Too often across the city I have heard that the council only consults when it has to and when it has already made up its mind. This certainly wasn't the case with the smoking consultation.

The balance between public health and individual freedoms is one which cannot be manipulated or fudged.

As politicians we often will take action based on our party platforms and manifesto commitments.

But sometimes it's right to ask the city when the answer is unclear or the balance of the decision is too close to call.

In a city of tolerance, that values and embraces diversity, consulting on banning smoking in public looks like a strange approach. But asking people's views and listening properly to their answers is never a bad thing.

Cllr Daniel Yates is chair of Brighton and Hove City Council's health and wellbeing board.