Survey shows Britons favour further smoking restrictions

More than half of British people would like to see smoking restrictions in all pubs, according to a survey by the Government's Office for National Statistics.

The survey into "smoking-related behaviour and attitudes" discovered that 53 per cent of Britons believe there should be smoking restrictions in pubs - five per cent more than in 1996.

Twenty two per cent of the 4,000 people surveyed said they would take account of whether a pub has a no-smoking area when deciding where to go for a drink - again an increase on 1999's 18 per cent.

And nearly 90 per cent of people also thought smoking should be banned at work and in other public places.

According to the survey, more than half - 50 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women - of the non-smokers questioned said that they would mind if other people smoked near them.

The survey is the latest in a series of reports which claim pubs that do not provide separate smoking and no-smoking areas could be losing trade.

The industry has always maintained that a complete ban on smoking in pubs would result in an average 41 per cent loss to trade (See the Publican's Market Report for more details). However, recent reports suggest many people - including smokers - support separate areas being introduced in all outlets.

Anti-smoking groups have claimed pubs are ignoring around 15 million people who will not go for a drink because of smoke while a report has found that a third of 16 to 34-year-olds had walked out of a pub or bar because it was too smoky.

A spokesman for campaign group, Action on Smoking and Health, said: "I believe smoking will be banned from pubs one day but it may take years. People would get used to it."

As lobbyists step up efforts to persuade ministers to introduce tougher regulations on smoking in pubs, licensees are being urged to sign up to the Public Places Charter on smoking. This recommends the use of signage, no-smoking areas and ventilation to rid pubs of smoke.

The Government has said it would like to see 50 per cent of pubs signed up to the charter by next year, but insiders say initial research into compliance shows only half that number have signed up.