Small businesses back smoking ban

England's small businesses want a complete ban on smoking in public places, claim authors of a new report.

Three-quarters (75%) of bosses from the 8,000 small- and medium-sized businesses surveyed support a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Opposition to a total ban was strongest in the hotel and catering sector, although more than half (56%) of bosses within it support outlawing smoking.

Support was strongest in the transport sector with 88% in favour of a total smoking ban.

Forum of Private Business (FPB), which carried out the survey, said the weight of support in favour of a ban reflected the tide of opinion turning against smoking.

FPB chief executive Nick Goulding said: "Small business owners are telling us loud and clear they want to protect their customers, their staff and themselves from smoke."

But, Goulding also warned that despite the clear support small businesses were not prepared to accept additional red tape or the burden of enforcement laws on bosses.

Government shies away from blanket smoking ban >>

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