Smokers lighting up less since ban

A fifth of smokers are lighting up less at home since Ireland’s smoking ban was introduced in 2004, survey results suggest.

People taking part in the poll were asked: “Has the smoking ban in public places affected the rules about smoking in the home?”

A total of 22% said they had reduced the amount they smoked at home since the legislation was brought in.

Six per cent reported smoking more at home after the ban, and 71% said their behaviour had not changed.

Professor Gerard Hastings, director of Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Tobacco Control at the University of Stirling and co-author of the study, said: “This finding echoes the experiences of other countries and places that have gone smokefree. But it also just makes common-sense.

“Public support for the ban in Ireland is strong and awareness that second-hand smoke kills is high. Given that smokers accept it’s dangerous and unfair to expose strangers to the poisons in their cigarette smoke, it would be illogical for them to go home and expose their families to the same toxic chemicals.”

More than 500 smokers from the Republic of Ireland took part in the telephone survey between February and March last year.

A further 1,335 smokers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland also participated in the research.

Smoking in public and work places will be banned in England from July 1.

The study also found that smokers’ alcohol consumption in pubs after the introduction of the smoking ban was no greater than in the UK.

Maura Gillespie, head of policy and public affairs at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said: “It’s excellent news that many Irish smokers have responded positively to the ban, and have cut down on smoking in their homes. We hope that smokers respond similarly to the forthcoming ban in England, for the good of their health, and the health of their families.”