Research suggests one in 19 deaths in the UK is linked to air pollution - 25 times more than in traffic accidents.
Business owners in Birmingham say the timing of the introduction of a clean air zone in the city is "shockingly bad" as they struggle to encourage customers back after a year of lockdowns.
Charges will apply to many vehicles travelling into the city centre from Tuesday, 1 June. The city becomes the third in England, after London and Bath, to introduce a clean air zone. A number of other cities are making plans to charge vehicles.
The plans have also been criticised as penalising people on low incomes as newer, less polluting cars and electric vehicles will be exempt from charges.
Lawrence Barton who owns two bars and a nightclub in the city centre told Sky News:
"The concept of it - yes I welcome a cleaner city and a cleaner environment."
“The timing of it is shockingly bad for the city. It is just wrong to introduce this right now when the city has been crippled by the pandemic.” Lawrence Barton
"It puts at a disadvantage the most disadvantaged. Some of my staff have had to leave their jobs because they can't afford it and they don't drive electric cars and they're not in a position to make that payment."
Drivers of cars, taxis and vans will be charged £8 a day, while drivers of larger vehicles, including HGVs and buses will have to pay £50 per day.
