Majority of smokers prefer pubs since ban

Sixty-one per cent of smokers think bars and pubs are nicer without smoking, with 90 per cent of non-smokers agreeing, a poll has revealed.

However, the on-line survey conducted by market research firm Ciao Surveys, showed non-smokers have not increased their "going out" behaviour as much as anticipated before the ban.

In a previous survey in May, 47 per cent of non-smokers stated they would go out more often once the ban came into force, however only 32 per cent now say they actually have done so.

In terms of what effects respondents think the ban has had, 61 per cent of smokers and 24 per cent of non-smokers think pubs now smell of other foul odours such as sweat and stale beer without cigarette smoke to cover them up.

Also, 56 per cent of non-smokers believe that bar staff appear happier since the ban, as opposed to only 24 per cent of smokers.

This contrasts with 45 per cent of smokers who have gone out less often since the ban.

The poll, conducted among 1,000 UK residents, also showed more than half of smokers are lighting up less since the ban, while 34 per cent are cutting down when out in bars a pubs.

Support for the ban has declined among smokers and non-smokers since the start of the ban, the survey showed.

The previous survey in late May showed 36 per cent of smokers and 89 per cent of non-smokers were in favour of the ban.

The new poll shows numbers have fallen to 31 per cent and 87 per cent respectively.