EAST Lancashire MPs are calling for action to protect workers from their colleagues' tobacco smoke.

Peter Pike, Gordon Prentice and Lindsay Hoyle say the government must produce new measures to end the health menace of passive smoking.

And they have been backed by their cigarette puffing Hyndburn colleague Greg Pope who is to bring their call to the attention of Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers who would be responsible for any initiative.

However, Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans who owns a tobacconist's shop in Swansea, called for a more balanced approach while backing the right of non-smokers to a smoke-free environment.

Burnley MP Mr Pike, Pendle's Gordon Prentice and Chorley's Lindsay Hoyle want formal guidance and a new code of practice published as a matter of urgency.

The Labour backbenchers are prepared for a short transitional period to be allowed for pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and other parts of the hospitality industry.

They are among 65 MPs to sign a cross-party Commons Motion on the issue.

The Early Day Motion -- placed on the Commons Order Paper, Parliament's daily agenda circulated to all Ministers, MPs and senior civil servants -- says: "We believe that all MPs deserve protection from the harmful effects of passive smoking while they are at work."

It notes the Office of National Statistics conducted a survey recently showing that 89 per cent of the public backed restrictions on smoking at work.

The MPs say: "We accept that three million non-smokers are frequently or continuously exposed to second-hand smoke at work and accept that passive smoking damages the health and welfare of non-smokers.

"We accept the conclusion that passive smoking is a cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses and believe that voluntary approach has worked in many situations but has failed in many others and will continue to fail without government action."

Mr Pope, a smoker who is government Whip for the Trade and Industry Department, said: "I think they are right in principle. People do have the right to a smoke-free environment.

"As a government Whip I have to be careful what I say but I shall raise this EDM with my boss Stephen Byers.

"I am trying to give up cigarettes and my office in Accrington is a smoke-free zone because I care for the people I employ who are non-smokers."

Mr Evans -- who confesses to enjoying the odd cigar -- said: "People have the right to a smoke free environment but the situation is topsy turvy.

"Smokers have rights too and they are often banished out of the building for a cigarette or sent to a tiny room which is like a gas chamber because of the smoke. They should have a proper place to smoke and we need a balanced approach to this."