Success of smoking ban is hailed 10 years on
HEALTH CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating the 10th anniversary of smoke-free legislation in England, saying it has had one of the biggest impacts on public health over the last decade.
Laws banning smoking in virtually all enclosed public places in England – including offices, pubs and railway stations – came into effect on July 1 2007.
Cancer Research UK said there were 1.9 million fewer smokers in Britain compared with a decade ago, with smoking rates now the lowest ever recorded.
However although there have been sharp drops, in Hull, which has the worst rate of adult smoking in the country, more than quarter of adults still smoke (27 per cent compared to the national average of 17 per cent).
One in five women still smoke while pregnant, and the city has some of the highest rates of hospital admissions caused by smoking in the country.
Hull Council said tackling smoking remained a key public health priority. The next step is to try to ensure playgrounds are smoke-free; putting up signs is one possibility.
A poll of more than 4,300 people for Cancer Research found that just 12 per cent favoured reversing the laws.
Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled that 10 years on, the smoking ban has been such an enormous success.
“As well as protecting people from the deadly effects of passive smoking, we’ve also seen big changes in public attitudes towards smoking.
“It’s now far less socially acceptable and we hope this means fewer young people will fall into such a potentially lethal addiction.”
An Action on Smoking and Heath (Ash) report released to coincide with the anniversary said there was increasing public support for further measures such as a licensing scheme for tobacco retailers and a levy on the tobacco industry to pay for measures to reduce smoking.
Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie said: “The smoke-free legislation has been extraordinary in the way we now experience and enjoy pubs, clubs, restaurants and so many other public places.”