UK health authorities to launch campaign over public smoking ban
The UK will be asked whether smoking should be banned in public places as part of a campaign of public consultations planned by health authorities across the country.
At least five regional health authorities – including the East Midlands, North-west, South-west and East Anglia – plan to launch a public smoking debate to canvass opinion on whether smoking should be banned. Cities within the regions include Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Leicester and Exeter.
The news of the national campaign comes in the wake of a public smoking consultation carried out by the London Health Commission (MW October 30, 2003).
Results out this week from the poll showed that 78 per cent of the 34,000 Londoners who responded wanted smoking banned in public places. In addition, 43 per cent wanted smoking banned from pubs and 64 per cent from restaurants.
The national roll-out is expected to begin in February in the East Midlands, with other regions expected to follow suit during 2004. Residents in the regions will be able to vote about when and where smoking should be permitted via questionnaires and online surveys. Curbs are already being considered in Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Brighton and Poole.
The national consultation will be supported by a print and outdoor ad campaign by Spirit Advertising, which created the advertising behind the London Health Commission’s poll.
