Majority back smoking ban, study finds
Almost three quarter of the public would back a complete ban on smoking in public places, according to a new survey.
The poll for Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) and Cancer Research UK finds 73 per cent would support legislation banning smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including all pubs and restaurants.
Government proposals being put before parliament in November this year would ban smoking from all pubs and restaurants serving catered food.
Ministers predict between ten and 30 per cent of establishments would be exempt from the ban, but a report published last week suggested this figure could be as high as 80 per cent in some areas.
Today the 1,000-person poll, part of the public consultation on the proposed legislation, suggests the majority of the public would prefer a blanket ban.
Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the poll results put paid to claims that a smoking ban would damage the hospitality trade by putting people off going into pubs where they could not smoke.
He cited the BMRB survey figures demonstrating 85 per cent of people would visit bars and pubs either as often or more often if they were smokefree by law.
“The vast majority of people say they would still visit pubs if they were smokefree. This is supported by the experiences of places such as Ireland and New York, where there is clear evidence that going smokefree does not damage profits,” he said.
Ash director Deborah Arnott added: “This poll shows overwhelming public support for a comprehensive smokefree law, following its clear success in Ireland, New York and elsewhere.
“The idea that the public will not back an end to smoking in pubs and bars – where employees and customers are at most risk from secondhand smoke – is simply not true.”
She said the survey sent the government a clear message – that the public wants immediate action to end secondhand smoke at work, which currently kills more than 600 people a year.
“The pointless and damaging exemptions for pubs and clubs must be dropped from the final bill. Smokefree legislation must be comprehensive if it is to be successful,” she said.
