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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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UK: 80% of Population Back Blanket Smoking Ban in the North West [08/10-3]
Excerpts from: 80% back blanket smoking ban
By Alice Fordham IC Liverpool [08/10/04]
Eighty percent of people want to ban smoking in all public places in the North West, a survey has revealed.
In one of the most extensive public health consultations ever carried out, 78% of people said they wanted non-smoking restaurants and more than half of the people questioned said they approve of smoke-free bars.
The Big Smoke Debate was carried out in conjunction with the North West Public Health Group and the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University.
More than 14,000 people - both smokers and non-smokers - were interviewed in the survey. The findings revealed that 72% of people prefer non-smoking restaurants, and 57% agree with New York-style smoke-free bars.
Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council revealed plans to create the UK's first "smoke-free" city, with smoking outlawed in public places.
Four out of every five people questioned said they are bothered by tobacco smoke and only 6% of people agreed with smoking in pubs and bars.
Brenda Fullard, regional tobacco policy manager, said: "The right to enjoy clean air, free of tobacco smoke pollution has been denied to the vast majority of people in this region.
"Now the Big Smoke Debate has shown the strength of support for smoke-free work and public places in the North West. All confirm the strength of opinion for a smoke-free society."
In Ireland, where a smoking ban is already in place, the Office of Tobacco Control reported a rise in the numbers of people visiting pubs and restaurants, while in England the Chief Medical Officer yesterday released the annual report from 2003, making a strong economic case for banning public smoking.
Increasingly, people in the hospitality industry are becoming aware that customers also are attracted to the few places where they can choose whether to be in a smoking area or not.
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