The Yorkshire artist David Hockney is in Brighton today to rail against the "dreary" Labour politicians who want to ban smoking in all public places.

In an interview this morning on the BBC’s Today programme, Hockney called Julie Morgan, the Welsh Labour MP who is heading the government initiative, "too bossy" and "absolutely dreary", describing the planned ban as "ridiculous".

"Death awaits you whether you smoke or not. Pubs are not health clubs. People go to drown their sorrows," he said in a lively exchange in which he interrupted Ms Morgan several times.

Ms Morgan said the plan aimed at protecting the health of non-smokers and staff in pubs.

"I'm thinking of the non-smokers and the many people who want to give up smoking, I'm thinking of the children, people who suffer from asthma," she said.

The Government hopes to ban smoking in workplaces, cafes, and pubs and bars which serve food in England by 2008 and a report is due soon based on a public consultation on smoking in public.

The Scottish Parliament has already voted to introduce a smoking ban in public places from April 2006. Bans have also been introduced in Ireland and Italy.

"You’ll destroy Bohemia," Hockney said, referring to Ms Morgan’s plans to ban smoking in pubs.

Hockney suggested that smoking was a preferable alternative to "anti-depressive pills," apparently referring to news reports that a health watchdog had recommended giving fewer anti-depressant drugs to young people. "You think that’s better. I don’t," he said.

Hockney is appearing on Wednesday evening at a fringe meeting entitled Labour, Liberty and Law, organised by the smokers’ lobby group, Forest. At the meeting he is also expected to criticise the medical profession which is lobbying for a blanket ban.

Research by the British Medical Association has have concluded that thousands of people die a year from second-hand smoke.

The meeting is timed to coincide with an official Labour conference speech this afternoon by the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt. It will focus on the issue of smoking in public places and speakers will also discuss the wider implications of the Government's plans and the extent to which politicians should dictate people's lifestyle.

Other panellists at the meeting include the writer and musician Joe Jackson, journalist Sue Carroll and Sue Brealey, co-author of The Joy of Smoking. It will be chaired by Claire Fox, director of the debating organisation, the Institute of Ideas.

Simon Clark, director of Forest, said that the public wanted the Government to "keep a sense of perspective when legislating on smoking in public places".

"Smokers and non-smokers alike must recognise that by allowing ourselves to submit to arbitrary legislation on the issue of smoking we are opening the floodgates for a whole raft of legislation that will deny people the right to choose their own lifestyle," he said.

Hockney, who was the only living British artist to make the shortlist in a BBC poll of the nation’s favourite painting, said in a statement released by Forest ahead of the meeting: "Smoking calms me down. It’s enjoyable. I don’t want politicians deciding what is exciting in my life."

Hockney v Morgan: the extracts

Julie Morgan. Thirty three thousand people die of lung cancer every year, we know that it has a very bad effect on asthmatics and with all this knowledge there is a duty on the government to take steps to protect people.

David Hockney. Well, yes, I mean, death awaits you whether you smoke or not. Pubs are not health clubs. People go to drown their sorrows. You could save a lot more lives if they didn't serve alcohol, you could argue. This is ridiculous. It's bossy.

JM. If I spend an evening in a smoky pub it affects my health.

DH. Why has every place to be suitable for you? What about me? Can't there be some places suitable for me? You’ll destroy Bohemia.

JM. You can carry on smoking wherever you like, but not in the pubs, not in public places or work places. We're not attacking you smoking, you can smoke.

DH. I think you're too bossy, chum.

John Humphrys (interviewer). Why can't we have pubs that have smoking and pubs that don't have smoking?

JM. Because of the health of the employees.

DH. You're dreary.You're absolutely dreary.

JM. People want to live, enjoy themselves, go out, have a smoke-free atmosphere and have a good time.

DH. Yeah. It doesn't matter if I die earlier.

JM. I'm thinking of the non-smokers and the many people who want to give up smoking, I'm thinking of the children, people who suffer from asthma, all those people.

John Humphrys. What about the people who work in pubs who may not like all that smoke?

DH. Well, er, they could work somewhere else, but remember they're serving alcohol. Do you know the problems with alcohol?

JM. I mean, I think alcohol is definitely another issue.

DH. Ah, of course it is. A far bigger issue, you might say.

JM. I don't think it's a bigger issue than smoking.

DH. Come one. Get rid of smoking, they're all on anti-depressant pills. You think that's better. I don't.

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