Anti-smoking crusaders yesterday called for an end to lighting up in public places.

But their call was only heard by a handful of people who turned up at the National Quit Smoking Day rally in Victoria Park.

The event was organised by Bermuda Advocates for Non-Smoking (BANS).

BANS chairman Joy Pimental - welcoming "distinguished and extinguishing" guests - highlighted the dangers of passive smoking in restaurants and other public places.

"Passive smoking is not just an inconvenience, it's a major health hazard," said Ms Pimental.

"Many people with asthma simply cannot risk going to restaurants because tobacco smoke can trigger an asthma attack, and children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking."

She said last year ten organisations came together and formed BANS.

The group discovered that 15 percent of the Island's restaurants and seven restaurants in the Fairmont Southampton hotel already had a non-smoking policy.

"We were thrilled to hear that the World Health Organisation unanimously adopted an anti-smoking treaty, which was the first global health measure ever approved," she said.

"The treaty is intended to be a binding global treaty that lays out provisions that seek to implement a comprehensive framework on the tobacco trade including the restriction of advertising, marketing and sales of tobacco within five years."

Junior Minister Senator Calvin Smith told the group that before he had quit smoking, he was a four-pack-a-day smoker.

He said: "It's like being an alcoholic, you always have to work at it."

Sen. Smith said that smoking resulted in more deaths and disabling conditions than any other single disease.

He said: "It is the cause or probable cause of approximately 25 diseases.

"Smoking kills 4.9 million people every year and someone dies from tobacco use every eight seconds.

"Each year second-hand smoke causes about 3,000 lung cancer deaths among adult non smokers and as many as 62,000 deaths from coronary heart disease.

"150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis in children in the United States alone.

"Given the health implications of tobacco smoking, both to the smoker and those who breathe in second hand smoke, there are several things we can and should do to encourage more people to become and remain smoke free.

"Take charge of your health, not chances, be health wise."

Argus Group president and chief executive officer Gerald Simons spoke about the positive changes that the ex-smoker experiences.

He said: "The Argus Group had a responsibility not only to pay out claims, but also to encourage better health practices.

"20 minutes after quitting - the blood pressure drops to a level close to that of before the last cigarette.

"Eight hours after quitting the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal and 24 hours after quitting the chance of a heart attack decreases.

"Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate becomes about half of that of a continuing smoker, and the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease.

"The evidence for quitting is so overwhelming - I suggest we make Bermuda a smoke free country."

For smokers or ex-smokers who want help the free Fresh Start Programme will be running on June 3, 5, 10 and 12 at the Gordon Hall, Bermuda Industrial Union, on Union Street, Hamilton. For information telephone Dr. Leonard Gibbons on 239-3428/3491.