BOLTON MP Brian Iddon has called on the Government to help end the dangers of passive smoking in the workplace.

A total of three million non-smokers have to endure other people's tobacco smoke while at work -- increasing the risks of lung cancer, heart disease and strokes, said the Bolton South-east Labour MP.

Dr Iddon has signed an Early Day Motion in Westminster urging the Government to reduce the health risk.

It is more than three years since measures designed to restrict smoking in the workplace were mooted by Labour but no action has been taken.

The MP said that without Government-backed regulations, workers faced a dangerous lottery. The safety of their environment was often dependent on whether their boss smoked.

Dr Iddon said: "There are thousands of people employed in a whole range of sectors in Bolton.

"Many of them are lucky enough to enjoy working where no-smoking policies have been introduced. But I am concerned about the welfare of many others who find themselves in a desperate situation, afraid to complain for fear of losing their job.

"Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that 86 per cent of people were in favour of smoking restrictions at work. The public is clearly convinced -- all we need to do now is to get the Government to follow suit."