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  • Health & Medicine

Half of smokers have cut down since ban

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by In collaboration with PA Media Group | News

17 August 2007

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The ban on smoking in indoor public places has had a noticeable impact on English people’s smoking habits, a survey has found.

According to research by Ciao Surveys, over half of smokers are now having fewer cigarettes than they were before the ban was introduced approximately six weeks ago.

Nearly 16 per cent said they were having fewer cigarettes altogether, while 34.1 per cent said they now smoke less when they are out in bars and clubs.

However, only 1.8 per cent of smokers have given up the habit altogether, and a fifth admitted that, even though they wanted to give up, the ban had made no difference to their smoking habits.

The survey of 1,000 people, which was conducted between August 2nd and 6th, also revealed that 89.3 per cent of non-smokers believe bars and pubs to be more pleasant since the ban, a sentiment that 61 per cent of smokers agree with.

Over half of non-smokers also pointed out that bar staff seem to be happier now that they are no longer subjected to cigarette smoke.

It is hoped that the legislation, which was primarily introduced to reduce the risks caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, will bring about a large reduction in the number of tobacco-related deaths.

According to health experts, just half an hour’s exposure to secondhand smoke is enough to damage the lining of the heart’s arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.