Most smokers now support ban

At least half of smokers support the current smoking ban according to a poll published on the third anniversary of England’s smokefree public places law.

The poll, conducted by YouGov for anti-smoking organisation ASH suggests that support for the law has doubled since it was introduced in 2007. Overall 81% of all adults believe the smokefree legislation is good for their health, with 91% of never-smokers believing this to be the case and 50% of daily smokers (40% of daily smokers disagree).

There is also substantial support among smokers for further restrictions on smoking:

• 61% of smokers support a ban on smoking in cars with children (in the general population, 77% support a ban)
• 49% of smokers support a ban on smoking in children’s play areas (in the general population, 73% support a ban)
• 21% of smokers support further restrictions on smoking at the entrances and exits of public buildings
  (in the general population, 67% support further restrictions)

 

Research recently published in the BMJ showed that in the 12 months following the implementation of the smoking ban, there was a 'small but significant' 2.4% drop in the number of heart attacks in England resulting in 12,000 fewer admissions to hospital saving the NHS £8.4 million, according to Ash.

Has the hospitality industry suffered as a result of smokefree regulations? Ash say not. They reckon more people are visiting pubs since the legislation.