London, June 30 (IANS) A small town in Britain with a population of around 12,000 may soon become the first in the country to ban smoking on its streets, a media report said.

Stony Stratford in North Buckinghamshire, 79 km from London, is expected to pass a law that would forbid smoking in any street or open public place. Offenders would be fined, the Daily Express reported.

The move has been praised by anti-smoking groups but has also been criticised by civil liberty campaigners.

Councillor Paul Bartlett said the ban would ‘make the environment cleaner’, save money in litter clearing, and protect children from the effects of passive smoking.

‘Why should people have the freedom to smoke in my face, pass on diseases and spoil the environment,’ he said.

But Daniel Hamilton, director of pressure group Big Brother Watch, said: ‘For a town council to be doing this is appalling, they are there to deal with potholes and parks.’

Indian-origin resident Misha Patel, 17, said: ‘I think it’s a really bad idea. If it was enforced no one would go out, they would stay at home.’

London, June 30 (IANS) A small town in Britain with a population of around 12,000 may soon become the first in the country to ban smoking on its streets, a media report said.

Stony Stratford in North Buckinghamshire, 79 km from London, is expected to pass a law that would forbid smoking in any street or open public place. Offenders would be fined, the Daily Express reported.

The move has been praised by anti-smoking groups but has also been criticised by civil liberty campaigners.

Councillor Paul Bartlett said the ban would ‘make the environment cleaner’, save money in litter clearing, and protect children from the effects of passive smoking.

‘Why should people have the freedom to smoke in my face, pass on diseases and spoil the environment,’ he said.

But Daniel Hamilton, director of pressure group Big Brother Watch, said: ‘For a town council to be doing this is appalling, they are there to deal with potholes and parks.’

Indian-origin resident Misha Patel, 17, said: ‘I think it’s a really bad idea. If it was enforced no one would go out, they would stay at home.’