Quarter of a million quit cigs thanks to smoking ban (From The Northern Echo)

Quarter of a million quit cigs thanks to smoking ban

5:03pm Saturday 28th June 2008

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ALMOST a quarter of a million people across England have stopped smoking since the ban on lighting up in public places was introduced, according to an official report to be published next week.

A total of 234,060 people have stopped smoking with the help of the NHS Quit Smoking Service since the ban was brought in on July 1, 2007.

''But we can not sit on our laurels. There are still nine million adult smokers in England alone and smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable sickness and death in this country.''

Amanda Sandford, research manager at the campaigning charity Action on Smoking and Health

That is 22 per cent more people than in the previous 12 months.

Health bosses in the North-East - where some half a million people smoke, one of the highest levels in the UK - have already pointed to a huge surge in those wanting to quit since the ban was imposed.

In April, NHS smoking cessation workers in County Durham and Darlington reported that an extra 886 smokers had applied to join quitting courses between July and August last year, compared to the same quarter the previous year.

Smoking cessation services across the North-East hope to improve on this figure by recruiting more specialist smoking cessation advisors.

An action plan is also being drawn up to encourage more pregnant women to quit in the North-East.

In the region, about 25 per cent of women continue to smoke through pregnancy, endangering the health of their babies.

The Department of Health report on the smoke-free legislation will be published on the first anniversary of the smoking ban in England and Wales.

It also states the ban has cut pollution levels in bars and restaurants by 91 per cent.

Fears that the ban would not be enforced have proved groundless with 98 per cent of premises inspected complying with the legislation and 76 per cent of the population saying they back the law.

In the foreword to the report, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson writes: ''The significance of the smoke-free laws cannot be underestimated.

''A significant reduction in second-hand smoke with its damaging health effects has been achieved. We expect many lives have been saved. Everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, healthier environment.'' Amanda Sandford, research manager at the campaigning charity Action on Smoking and Health, said the ban had been a resounding success.

She said: ''There are so many benefits from the legislation.

''For example, we have seen a decline in the number of people being admitted to hospital with heart disease and there has been a 76 per cent reduction in the nicotine levels of bar workers.

''But we can not sit on our laurels. There are still nine million adult smokers in England alone and smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable sickness and death in this country.'' The report from the Department of Health is due to be published on July 1.

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