The smoking ban in England, introduced a year ago, has dramatically increased the number of people giving up the habit, it is claimed.
The smoking ban in England, introduced a year ago, has dramatically increased the number of people giving up the habit, it is claimed.
A survey suggests more than than 400,000 people quit smoking as a result of the ban.
A survey suggests more than 400,000 people quit smoking as a result of the smoking ban.
Researchers say this could potentially help save as many as 40,000 lives in the next 10 years.
Researchers say this could potentially help save as many as 40,000 lives in the next 10 years.
The Department of Health has hailed the first 12 months of the law as a success, with almost 100% compliance.
The Department of Health has hailed the first 12 months of the law as a success, with almost 100% compliance.
These figures show the largest fall in the number of smokers on record Professor Robert WestHealth Behaviour Research Unit, University College London
These figures show the largest fall in the number of smokers on record Professor Robert WestHealth Behaviour Research Unit, University College London
The ban on smoking in public places was designed principally to protect people from secondhand smoke.
The ban on smoking in public places was designed principally to protect people from secondhand smoke.
However, as in Scotland, which introduced the ban a year earlier, there are signs that it is providing the motivation for people to try to give up.
However, as in Scotland, which introduced the ban a year earlier, there are signs that it is providing the motivation for people to try to give up.
Official figures show that the number of people who quit smoking using the NHS Stop Smoking services, which provides support such as nicotine patches, was up more than 20% compared with the same period the previous year.
Official figures show that the number of people who quit smoking using the NHS Stop Smoking services, which provides support such as nicotine patches, was up more than 20% compared with the same period the previous year.
In total, 462,690 used the services in England between April and December, and more than half of them, 234,060, were smoke free four weeks after their "quit date".
In total, 462,690 used the services in England between April and December, and more than half of them, 234,060, were smoke free four weeks after their "quit date".
Not everyone uses these services when giving up, and a separate survey of 32,000 people, found that smoking fell by 5.5% in the nine months after the ban, compared with 1.6% in the previous nine months.
Not everyone uses these services when giving up, and a separate survey of 32,000 people, found that smoking fell by 5.5% in the nine months after the ban, compared with 1.6% in the previous nine months.
On the basis of this, it was estimated that in excess of 400,000 gave up as a direct result of the ban.
On the basis of this, it was estimated that in excess of 400,000 gave up as a direct result of the ban.
Professor Robert West, who carried out the research at the Health Behaviour Research Unit, said he had not expected such a dramatic impact.
Professor Robert West, who carried out the research at the Health Behaviour Research Unit, said he had not expected such a dramatic impact.
"These figures show the largest fall in the number of smokers on record. The effect has been as large in all social groups - poor as well as rich."
"These figures show the largest fall in the number of smokers on record. The effect has been as large in all social groups - poor as well as rich."
Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, said that the momentum now needed to be maintained.
Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, said that the momentum now needed to be maintained.
More restrictions
More restrictions
Jean King, its director of tobacco control, said: "The results show smoke-free laws have encouraged smokers to quit.
Jean King, its director of tobacco control, said: "The results show smoke-free laws have encouraged smokers to quit.
"These laws are saving lives and we mustn't forget that half of all smokers die from tobacco-related illness."
"These laws are saving lives and we mustn't forget that half of all smokers die from tobacco-related illness."
Other reports suggested that cigarette sales had fallen sharply over the past year, with 1.93 billion fewer sold in England, and 220,000 fewer in Scotland, now in the second year of its ban.
Other reports suggested that cigarette sales had fallen sharply over the past year, with 1.93 billion fewer sold in England, and 220,000 fewer in Scotland, now in the second year of its ban.
Tobacco control pressure group ASH said that its own survey suggested that a majority of the public were now in favour of more legislation to clamp down on smoking, such as a ban on smoking in cars with children, and the removal of cigarette vending machines.
Tobacco control pressure group ASH said that its own survey suggested that a majority of the public were now in favour of more legislation to clamp down on smoking, such as a ban on smoking in cars with children, and the removal of cigarette vending machines.
The ban in Wales began a few months earlier than in England, but figures released by Plaid Cymru today suggested that heart attacks had fallen by 13% between October and December 2007, compared with the same period the previous year.
The ban in Wales began a few months earlier than in England, but figures released by Plaid Cymru today suggested that heart attacks had fallen by 13% between October and December 2007, compared with the same period the previous year.
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Have you given up smoking because of the ban? How has the smoking ban affected you? Are you trying to give up and have the smoking restrictions helped you? Tell us about your experience by filling in the form below.
Have you given up smoking because of the ban? How has the smoking ban affected you? Are you trying to give up and have the smoking restrictions helped you? Tell us about your experience by filling in the form below.
