Public Rejects Ban on Smoking in Pubs

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Poll finds support for separate smoking and non-smoking rooms

Most Britons are opposed to outlawing smoking in the nation's pubs, clubs and bars. There is support for the government's proposal to allow pubs that don't serve food to continue to accommodate the rights of smokers and non-smokers alike. However, there is also overwhelming support for going further and allowing smoking rooms in workplaces, pubs and restaurants, which would not be permitted under the legislation being proposed.

These are the main findings of a new public opinion poll, conducted by Populus for the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association (TMA). It is released in advance of new public health minister Caroline Flint's consultation paper on smoking in enclosed public spaces, due to be published later this month.

The Populus poll showed that 84 per cent of Britons agree that smokers should be allowed to smoke provided they do not inconvenience others. 72 per cent think smoking should continue to be allowed in pubs, clubs and bars, with just 26 per cent supporting an outright ban. The most popular option - favoured by 45 per cent of the public - would see licensed premises become mainly non-smoking, with designated areas or rooms set aside for smoking.

Tim Lord, chief executive of the TMA, said: "This latest poll shows us yet again that the British public is overwhelmingly opposed to legislation that would ban smoking outright in the nation's pubs. This is the third time in 18 months that Populus has consulted the public on this issue, and this is the third time that the public has roundly rejected an outright smoking ban.

"We strongly believe that self-regulation by the hospitality industry would represent the best way to regulate smoking in licensed establishments, but we now accept that the government has chosen to legislate on this issue. Last week, public health minister Caroline Flint argued that, in order to work, the regulations need to be practical and also have the support of the public. The public has a sophisticated understanding of this issue. They believe the proposals outlined in the government's White Paper last November - allowing smoking in pubs when and where food is not served - are reasonable. They also want the flexibility to permit smoking rooms in workplaces, restaurants and pubs that serve food, should employees, or customers want them."

This latest Populus survey for the TMA also found:

• The thousand-plus sample supported by a three to one majority the option of allowing smoking in pubs with separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers.


• Similar proportions agreed that smoking should be allowed in workplaces where employers and employees have agreed there should be a separate, designated smoking room, and also in private or members clubs to which the general public has no access.


• Although the nation is more closely divided on smoking in restaurants and cafés, nevertheless there is still majority support (56 per cent) for smoking to continue to be allowed in such premises. For single-room pubs not serving food the figure is 51 per cent.


• A similar split - 55 per cent in favour, 43 per cent opposed - was also found for the proposal that smoking should be allowed in single-room pubs that are properly ventilated.

For full details of the Populus survey, go to www.the-tma.org.uk

Notes:

1. Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,173 UK adults. The fieldwork, which was conducted by telephone, took place on 18-19 May 2005. The results have been weighted to be representative of all adults across the UK.


2. 24 per cent of the sample currently smokes every day, with 7 per cent counting themselves as occasional smokers. 20 per cent are ex-smokers, while 49 per cent have never smoked. These rates accord with smoking prevalence rates for the UK as a whole.


3. The Populus poll also found that of nine different laws proposed in last month's Queen's Speech, the public considered banning smoking in enclosed public spaces among the lowest priorities - behind tackling the MRSA superbug, preventing terrorism, protecting animal welfare and even extending maternity pay.


4. The poll found no significant differences by gender or region.


5. Younger smokers and non-smokers were less authoritarian than the population. 18-24s were more likely to agree that smoking should be allowed in restaurants and cafés with separate smoking and non-smoking rooms (67 per cent vs. 56 per cent of the whole sample). They were also more likely to agree that smoking should be allowed in single-room pubs, clubs and bars that do not serve food (63 per cent vs. 51 per cent) and in single-room premises with national-standard ventilation (68 per cent vs. 55 per cent).