Anti-Smoking Britons Back Ban at Work -Survey

Eighty percent of Britons support a ban on smoking at work, according to a poll on Friday by an anti-smoking group.

Eighty percent of Britons support a ban on smoking at work, according to a poll on Friday by an anti-smoking group. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said the idea was even backed by smokers themselves, reflecting signs that health-conscious Britain may join the trend set by Ireland and some U.S. cities. Fifty nine percent of daily smokers supported a change in the law, as did 68 percent of infrequent smokers, it said. The survey comes in the same week as plain-speaking health minister John Reid kicked up a storm by saying that smoking was one of the few pleasures left in life for the poor. “What enjoyment does a 21-year-old single mother-of-three living in a council sink estate get? The only enjoyment sometimes they have is to have a cigarette,” he said. Anti-smoking groups have called his remarks foolish, while smokers’ lobby groups praised his bravery in the current anti-smoking climate. The survey contradicted Reid’s assertion that the anti-smoking lobby was a middle-class obsession. “The support extends to smokers and non-smokers alike, and across every region and social class,” said ASH director Deborah Arnott. “The public wants action to end second-hand smoke at work.” Britain’s Labour government is considering a ban on smoking in public places but may leave legislation to local authorities. But the poll of over 4,000 people found 64 percent wanted a national ban on smoking at work. Support for a ban in state hospitals and clinics reached 96 percent, while 79 percent wanted a ban in restaurants. But it fell to 49 percent for pubs and bars and 47 percent for nightclubs. (Source: Reuters Health, June 2004)