Public smoking ban hurts tobacco stocks and FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 index eventually closed back under the 4,800 mark and lost 32.7 points or 0.68% to 4,770 by close of business, after a bad day for tobacco giant Gallaher Group and pub operators Enterprise Inns. Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government announced this morning itaims to phase out smoking in government departments and the National Health Service by 2006, in workplaces and enclosed public spaces by 2007, and in restaurants and pubs serving prepared food by the end of 2008. As a result, Gallaher 16.5p or 2.3% to 701p while Imperial Tobacco, Europe's second-largest tobacco...