New survey finds that smokers not flouting the ban

A new survey has revealed that the vast majority of smokers in England have been complying with the new smoking legislation since its introduction in July. 

75 per cent of people said the ban had been good for their health while 97 per cent of adults said they were either not smoking where it is banned or were giving up smoking completely.  

The survey was carried out for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Asthma UK and the British Thoracic Society and questioned 1,025 adults in England with asthma as well 1,532 adults among the general population.

Martin Dockrell, from Action on Smoking and Health said "it's really encouraging to see almost all smokers respecting the law."

More than half of those with asthma said they had been able to go out to pubs more since the smoking ban came in and 43% said they were now less worried about having an asthma attack in enclosed public places.

Smokers with asthma also seem to be quitting faster than the rest of the population, with 17% attempting to quit since the ban, compared with 12% of smokers without asthma, the survey suggested.

The survey results support government inspections which report that most people are not flouting the ban.

Among pub-goers, 86% say they have not seen anyone smoke in a bar since the law came into force.

Martin Dockrell said more people had given up in the run up to the ban, as had been seen in other countries.

But overall the average number of smokers quitting has increased.  

He added "It's really encouraging to see almost all smokers respecting the law."

Professor John Macfarlane, chairman of the British Thoracic Society, said: "This research shows how effective the smoking ban is in helping to reduce the number of smokers and the number of people exposed to second-hand smoke."

Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said people with asthma were reaping the benefits of the ban.

"More than a third say they are less exposed to secondhand smoke as they go about their day-to-day lives.

"It's also encouraging to hear that the three-quarters of a million smokers with asthma are giving up smoking faster than the rest of the population, showing that they are taking their health seriously and doing something about it."