Major restaurant chain is first to ban smoking

Restaurant chain Pizza Hut has banned smoking in all its UK restaurants - the first nationwide chain to make the move.

The company said it hoped the ban would protect customers and staff at its 500 branches from the dangers of passive smoking.

The GMB general union has members in Pizza Hut restaurants and London region official Simon Reed said the move "is excellent news for employees - who will no longer be exposed to second-hand smoking at the workplace - their customers and families, who for the first time now have a choice of a smoke-free environment."

Reed added: "This is not a crusade against people who smoke, but about our members who have no choice on whether they are exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace."

The GMB also won an important payout on passive smoking in August. GMB member Michael Dunn claimed he developed asthma because of passive smoking while working at Napoleon's Casino in London as an inspector for 14 years.

Dunn, who does not smoke and was a marathon runner until he developed asthma, said that constantly breathing in cigarette and cigar smoke on the gaming floor led to him getting the condition.

Dunn was reportedly paid up to £50,000 in an out-of-court settlement, with the condition that he does speak about the case. His employers have not accepted liability.