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The Stop Smoking Centre

“You Can Stop Smoking”

Dave Trevena & Elaine Gold

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Colin Grimes, Herts

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The England Smoking ban came into effect on

July 1 2007.

The Argument Concerning a Ban on Smoking in Public Places Elaine Gold, of the Stop Smoking Centre said: -

As someone who works with people from all walks of life who are desperate to quit smoking, I support any initiative that may reduce the enormous amount of human suffering smoking causes both to smokers themselves and the countless others who involuntarily inhale their toxic fumes.

We should beware, however, of assuming that a ban on smoking in public places will in itself, stop people smoking. The habit is highly addictive and requires a fundamental re-evaluation of the way a smoker views smoking if he or she is to quit. Most offices are now smoke free environments, yet come rain or sunshine, a hard core of individuals frequent the car park for a fag at hourly intervals, such is the hold the habit has on them.

Personally I welcome a ban on smoking in public places for two reasons. Firstly, because it will stop non-smokers having their health put at risk (passive smoking causes 1000 preventable deaths each year in the UK). Secondly, because I support anything that will help smokers appreciate that they are victims of a highly addictive and controlling habit, and thereby further fuel their desire to quit.

Of course there will be resistance. Hardened smokers will view the ban as an intrusion on their rights, however, most smokers do care about the impact of their habit on others. Our clients tell us that their primary reason for wanting to quit is health, not just their own but also other peoples.

Unfortunately, ‘non-smoking areas' in pubs and restaurants only reduce the risk to the health of non-smokers by about 50%. Smoke moves about after all! People visiting smoky places such as pubs just 2 or 3 times per week, are considered to be at a high risk of damage to their health. If this is their risk, consider the risk to staff. Employers can no longer ignore the number of legal cases being raised relating to health risks at work.

Finally, although some businesses fear loss of income, this is not borne out by experience in countries where restrictions have been imposed – the worst result was that it had a neutral effect and in eight countries it was proven that smoke free environments attracted new customers.

So for me the argument is clear. Smoking kills 120,000 people in the UK annually, endangering the lives of smokers and non-smokers alike. We all pay as the NHS is forced to divert funds that could be spent treating unpreventable illnesses into treating self-inflicted disease. If individuals make an informed decision to smoke that is fine, but in a socially responsible society, they should not be allowed to damage the health of others.

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