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Smoking is the single greatest preventable cause of premature
death and ill health in the United Kingdom; it is a public health priority
and accounts for 106, 000 deaths per year.4 More than 10,000
residents in Yorkshire & the Humber die each year from smoking related
diseases, costing millions in NHS expenditure and severely affecting the
quality of life in
the region.5 Deaths caused through tobacco use are five times
higher than deaths arising from road traffic accidents, other accidents,
poisoning & overdoses,
alcohol abuse, murders/manslaughter, suicides and AIDS. Secondhand smoke
(SHS) exposure is therefore seen as a controllable and preventable form
of indoor air pollution
The Evidence
In 1998, the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health
(SCOTH) issued a report which concluded that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke causes lung
cancer and heart disease in adult non-smokers and a variety of conditions including
respiratory disease, cot death and middle ear disease in children. The Committee
recommended that smoking should not be allowed in the workplace, and that smoking
in public places be restricted on the grounds of public health.
Public view on smoking in public places
Public opinion surveys repeatedly show that the majority of smokers as well
as non-smokers want to see a wider smoke free environment.
| Percentage of people agreeing that smoking should be restricted: |
All people |
Current smokers |
| At work |
86% |
70% |
| In restaurants |
88% |
72% |
| In pubs |
54% |
28% |
| In other public places |
87% |
84% |
Source: Smoking related behaviour and attitudes, 2002, Office for
National Statistics
PLACES THAT RESPONDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMPLETELY
OR MAINLY SMOKE FREE – PROMPTED, MULTIPLE RESPONSE
(ALL RESPONDENTS) |
| |
Completely |
Mainly |
| HOSPITALS AND OTHER NHS PREMISES E.G. GP SURGERIES |
84 |
13 |
| PUBLIC TRANSPORT E.G. TAXIS, BUSES, TRAINS |
89 |
9 |
| ENTERTAINMENT PLACES E.G. CINEMAS, THEATRE |
84 |
13 |
| OFFICES |
66 |
29 |
| FAST FOOD OUTLETS |
84 |
12 |
| CAFES AND RESTAURANTS |
78 |
19 |
| INDOOR SHOPPING CENTRES AND MALLS |
71 |
26 |
| FACTORIES AND WAREHOUSES |
51 |
43 |
| RAILWAY STATIONS AND BUS TERMINALS |
55 |
39 |
| PUBS AND BARS |
54 |
39 |
| COVERED SPORTS GROUNDS E.G. FOOTBALL GROUNDS |
53 |
38 |
| NONE OF THESE |
1 |
19 |
| NOT PROVIDED |
3 |
19 |
| UNWEIGHTED SAMPLE BASE = 996 |
Rotherham Reachout Panel
- Reachout 10 November, 2004
4. ASH (2004). Smoking in
the Workplace. Action on Smoking and Health
5. Edwards, Richard. An
Action Plan for Tobacco Control in the Northern & Yorkshire Region,
published 1998
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