Legislation prohibiting people from smoking in enclosed public places in England appears to be working, as new research shows smokers are cutting back.
More than half of those questioned for the Ciao study said the number of cigarettes they smoke has fallen since the ban came into force on 1 July.
The survey results have been welcomed by the British Lung Foundation, which said the ban will “undoubtedly have a positive impact” on people’s health.
Among those polled, 1.8% revealed they have quit smoking altogether since the ban was introduced.
Another 15.8% said they smoke less overall, and a further 34.1% revealed they now smoke fewer cigarettes when they go out drinking.
However, there has been a slight drop in support for the ban, since it came into effect.
A survey conducted in May showed 36.3% of smokers and 89.5% of nonsmokers were in favour of the new law. But the new research reveals those figures have fallen to 31.5% and 87.4% respectively.
Dr Noemi Eiser from the British Lung Foundation said: “The smoking ban has given millions of people with lung conditions like asthma a new lease of life.
“Before the ban, they were effectively excluded from many public places because of the effects of second-hand smoke.
“But thanks to the ban they can now socialise without fear of an attack of breathlessness.”
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