Special Features - Smoking in public banned in England

Smoking in public is now banned in all of the UK

Smoking in public banned in England
(01/07/07)

Smoking in enclosed public places in England has been banned from 1 July, following similar restrictions in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

It covers nearly all enclosed public places, such as pubs, bars and offices, but doesn't include smoking in private homes or outdoors.

High level of support

Public opinion research shows a high level of support for the ban, with eight out of ten people supporting its introduction.

Smoking in public is now banned in all of the UK

According to the survey, around 73 per cent of regular pub-goers back the introduction of this legislation, while 78 per cent of people believe the ban will have a positive effect on health, including 53 per cent of smokers.

Protecting people from passive smoking

Ministers believe it will protect everyone from the effects of passive smoking. Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint, said:

"A smokefree England will see the single biggest improvement in public health for a generation. The scientific and medical evidence is clear - second-hand smoke is a killer. There is no safe level of exposure."

Smokefree England, a new official website, provides information about the new law and outlines how it will be enforced.

The Great Indoors campaign

The introduction of the ban also heralds a major victory for a number of campaign groups who have fought long and hard for smoking in public to be outlawed.

Cancer Research UK's Great Indoors campaign shows how indoor environments will soon be as healthy as outdoors and aims to:

Remind people that England is going smoke free on 1 July
Celebrate the benefits of the new law
Encourage people to take this opportunity to give up smoking.

Health and economic benefits

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has used research from around the world to support its case. Commenting on a Swedish report that shows that smokers take on average eight days a year more sick leave than non-smokers, the charity's Director, Deborah Arnott, said:

"This research shows clearly that smokers take significantly more time off sick smoking but what is particularly interesting is that once people stop smoking, their productivity immediately improves.

"The smokefree legislation will bring enormous health and economic benefits for employers and employees alike."

Draconian measures?

Some organisations, such as FOREST, believe that the ban is draconian and that people should have the right to choose whether or not they smoke in public. FOREST has called for the law to allow some pubs and clubs to provide smoking areas.

Chef and FOREST patron, Anthony Worrall-Thompson, summed up their position when he said: "Why should the anti-smoking lobby dictate our lifestyle at the expense of our well-known culture of tolerance?"

Unfortunately for the pro-smoking lobby, this opposition hasn't worked. From now on, smokers in England will have to go outside to enjoy a cigarette, just as they have to in the other countries that make up the UK.