Cigar Weekly

The Department of Health announced more proposals today to reduce smoking rates and prevent young people picking up the habit.

1954: The link between smoking and lung cancer is confirmed for the first time when Dr Richard Doll and his team at the UK's Medical Research Council publish a paper proving the connection.

1962: A Royal College of Physicians report concludes that smoking is likely to contribute to coronary heart disease, and recommends stricter legislation on cigarette advertising and smoking in public places.

1965: British government bans cigarette advertising on television. TV ads featuring cigars continue until 1991.

1971: The Government announces that health warnings will be carried on all cigarette packets sold in the UK.

1984: Following a fire at Oxford Circus tube station, possibly caused by a cigarette, smoking is banned on London Underground train carriages. The ban is extended to the entire network in 1987 after a fire in King's Cross station, in which 31 people die.

1988: British Airways bans smoking on domestic flights.

1995: Britain's first no-smoking beaches are introduced on three stretches of sand in Bournemouth in Dorset.

1997: The Government faces criticism after calling for Formula One to be made exempt from the proposed European Union directive on tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

2002: The British Medical Association calls for a ban on smoking in public places after a report highlights the health impacts of passive smoking.

2006: Scotland implements a ban on smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, on March 26.

2007: Smoking in enclosed public places is outlawed across Wales and Northern Ireland in April. England's ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces comes into force shortly after on July 1.