Poll questions public support for smoking ban
Most Britons are not in favour of a complete ban on smoking in bars, pubs and restaurants, a new poll suggests.
The majority of the public would rather see restrictions applied to any smoking ban, a Populus survey for smokers’ group Forest reveals.
The results come a week before the government closes its consultation on the measures to cut workplace exposure to tobacco smoke.
When asked to choose between the four options set out in the Department of Health’s consultation paper, less than a third favouring a total ban while the government’s preferred option was the least favourite.
“The poll shows there is no enthusiasm for a total ban on smoking in all public places,” said Simon Clark, director of Forest.
He said the lack of support for any particular policy suggests the government should leave the law “well alone” and “concentrate on other more important issues”.
The Populus poll found that 29 per cent of the public are in favour of continuing the current voluntary approach.
A total of 28 per cent would like an outright ban with no exemptions, with 23 per cent preferring powers to be devolved to local authorities.
Just 18 per cent would choose the government’s proposal to make all public places smoke free except for membership clubs and pubs that do not prepare food on the premises.
“The British public have repeatedly said that they want their elected representatives to keep a sense of perspective when legislating on smoking in public places,” Mr Clark said. And he said it was important for the government to take into account public opinion when finalising legislation.
The latest poll findings seem to contradict one carried out for Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) and Cancer Research UK last month.
That poll found 73 per cent of the public would support legislation banning smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including all pubs and restaurants.
Ash director Deborah Arnott said that poll showed “overwhelming public support” for a comprehensive smokefree law, and he pointed to success in Ireland and New York.
“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,” Mr Arnott said.
