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SMOKEFREE WARWICKSHIRE PRESS RELEASE SMOKING LAW BRINGS GOOD NEWS Research shows that the smoking legislation introduced in July 2007 is having a positive effect on health and business. New surveys have shown that since the legislation on smokefree workplaces was introduced people are eating out more often, over half the smokers surveyed said they are smoking less, three quarters of adults support the law and 79% believe it will have a positive effect on public health. Sue Weston, from NHS Warwickshire said “This is excellent news. Very few people enjoyed eating a meal in a smoky restaurant or pub so this has been an excellent move, both for people’s enjoyment and health. These surveys also show that the law has been a good incentive for smokers to smoke less or to give up.” The health of workers in the hospitality industry is also set to improve. A recent study looking at the impact of the smokefree legislation on health, behaviours and attitudes of the hospitality and leisure industry, showed that hospitality workers’ exposure to harmful second hand smoke has fallen by 95 per cent since 1 July. Impact on businesses also turned out to be better than business owners predicted in June, when over half felt the law would have a negative effect on their trade. When asked in August, 70 per cent said the law had had either a positive impact or no impact on their trade. Compliance with the law has been excellent throughout the country, with the West Midlands having the highest level of smokefree compliance. Business owners also said that going smokefree was easier than they had expected. Jeremy Kynaston, Manager of the Rose and Crown in Warwick said “I wholeheartedly welcomed the legislation which has been a good thing for the industry. It has enabled us to extend our eating area which clients appreciate. The working environment is now so much more pleasant for myself and my staff. I no longer wake up after a busy Saturday night reeking of smoke and my health has definitely improved.” A wide range of expertise and support is available to smokers in Warwickshire wanting help and advice on stopping smoking. To find your local Stop Smoking Service call 0800 085 2917 or visit www.smokefreewarwickshire.org Ends Date: 2 November 2007 Contact: Sue Weston - Mobile 07900 228977Warwickshire Primary Care Trust, Westgate House, Market Street, Warwick, CV34 4DE Notes to Editors:Survey data is from the Smokefree England three month report and from the Market Research Agency NEMS. The study of workers in the hospitality industry was undertaken by The Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre in Warwick and funded by Cancer Research UK. They calculated that on average, employees’ exposure to secondhand smoke was the equivalent to smoking 190 cigarettes a year before the legislation, and this dropped to the equivalent of around 44 cigarettes after. Smoke Free Warwickshire is a multi-agency alliance committed to providing smoke free air, helping smokers to stop and promoting a tobacco free society |
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