Many ex-smokers 'say ban helped'

Some 37 per cent of ex-smokers say the smoking ban helped them kick the habit, a survey showed

1 July 2012

More than a third of former smokers think the ban on smoking in public places helped them to quit, research shows.

The figures, released on the fifth anniversary of the smoking ban in public places in England, found that 37% of former smokers believe the ban helped them to kick the habit.

However, it is still estimated that 10 million people in the UK smoke, according to the research conducted by Pfizer.

A quarter of current smokers said they were happy to go outside to smoke whatever the weather, the research suggests.

One in five smokers who want to quit have sought medical help, the poll of 6,300 people found.

The ban on smoking in public places in England came into effect on July 1 2007, spelling an end to drinkers having a cigarette with their pint in pubs, bars and clubs.