Croydon Conservatives have again been blasted for changing the council's policy on tobacco firm investments.

The latest criticism of the move came after it was revealed that from 2002 to 2004 more than a fifth of men in the borough died from smoking related illnesses.

Conservative councillors reversed a ban on tobacco firm investments after the town hall's pensions sub-committee said the decision was hindering the growth of the pension fund.

At a meeting of the council's cabinet committee on Monday Councillor Maggie Mansell, shadow cabinet member for health and social care, said: "I find it quite unbelievable the council is shocked at the figures of smoking in Croydon and the associated health risks yet it is happy to invest in tobacco firms."

However, Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, defended the council's decision to reverse the previous investment policy.

"Given the very clear financial and legal recommendations in the report it was obvious previous policy should be reversed," he said, "At the meeting the imminent smoking ban was also discussed and the way in which it would be enforced across Croydon."

Many councillors feared the ban, proposed for July next year, would be worthless if there were no resources in place to enforce it.

However, it is believed Trading Standards will be releasing funds to ensure the ban is upheld in premises across the country.