Support growing for Irish smoking ban
Support amongst smokers for Ireland's smoking ban has grown by 30% since its introduction in March 2004.
A survey conducted by Tobacco Control found that support for the total ban in restaurants has increased from 45% to 77%. In bars and pubs, support has increased from 13% to 46%.
Almost 50% of Irish smokers also admitted that the law had made them more likely to give up smoking.
A separate study showed that smokers who supported the ban were more likely to ban smoking in their own homes.
Professor Gerard Hastings, Cancer Research UK's tobacco marketing expert, said: "If we take these two studies together it is clear that once the ban is in place, as it is in Ireland, support for it amongst smokers soars."
He added: "Furthermore, smoke free legislation encourages smokers to try and quit and increases their chance of succeeding. In short it's a double plus for public health."
By Alix Young
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