An MHK says her bid to have regulations concerning the forthcoming smoking ban re-examined wasn’t an attempt to overturn the ban itself.

East Douglas member Brenda Cannell tried to overturn the regulations in Tynwald last night, saying a ban on smoking at the new prison would create difficulties for guards dealing with irate inmates.

Her motion was defeated but she says people may have thought it was a backdoor way to stop the ban coming into force.

Mrs Cannell (pictured) explained her concerns weren't with the ban itself, but with the wide range of places where it will apply: