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 30 August 2008 14:37 BST

'Half quit smoking' following ban

Thursday, 16 Aug 2007 17:46
The ban was introduced on July 1st

Health In Focus 

More than half of people have quit smoking in the wake of the ban of smoking in public places, a survey has revealed.

Introduced on July 1st, the ban in England and Wales followed similar legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland designed to reduce the number of smokers as well as people inhaling second-hand smoke.

A study by Ciao Surveys of 1,000 UK residents found that 51.7 per cent of smokers surveyed are smoking less in the past six weeks, including nearly two per cent who have quit altogether.

Over 15 per cent smoke less altogether while over one-third smoke less while in restaurants and bars.

The survey also revealed that non-smokers are not going out as much as anticipated before the ban; previously 47 per cent planned to go out more but in reality just 32.1 per cent have actually done so.

For those who are venturing to pubs, 89.3 per cent of non-smokers and 61 per cent of smokers think they are nicer than before the ban.

Somewhat contradicting the survey's other findings, support for the ban has waned.

An earlier survey found that 36.3 per cent of smokers and 89.5 per cent of non-smokers were in favour of the ban, but the latest survey shows those numbers have fallen to 31.5 per cent and 87.4 per cent respectively.

Health organisations predict that thousands of lives lost to lung cancer and heart disease will be saved by the ban; just half an hour's exposure to second-hand smoke for non-smokers is enough to damage the lining of the heart's arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.
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