Government claims most support the smoke ban
Three-quarters of all adults support the smoking ban, according to a Department of Health survey.
The survey also revealed that 79% believe the ban, which took effect on 1 July, will have a positive effect on public health.
Also, it claims that a greater proportion of smokers (47%) support the new law than oppose it (37%).
People surveyed gave the top three benefits of the ban as clothes and hair that doesn't smell after visiting the pub, better atmosphere in pubs and cleaner air.
People of all ages are reaping the benefits of healthier, less smoky work and social environmentsDawn PrimaroloPublic health minister
Of over 275,000 businesses inspected between July 1st and the end of September, 98% were found to be compliant with the new law with 84% displaying the correct signage.
In total 86% of businesses said the implementation of the new law had gone well and 78% said it was "a good idea".
The number of calls to the compliance hotline has dropped from over 1,000 calls in the first week to an average of 20 a day in September.
There have been only 70 fixed penalty notices issued to individuals for flouting the ban.
"People of all ages are reaping the benefits of healthier, less smoky work and social environments, which in turn are seen as an incentive for many to get out and socialise more," said public health minister Dawn Primarolo.
"I'm especially proud to hear that nine out of ten businesses say that implementation went well and that the majority of people, smokers included, are supportive of the new legislation.
"The evidence is clear, secondhand smoke is a killer and removing it from enclosed public and work environments marks the single biggest improvement in public health for a generation."
The Smokefree England three month report and further information about the legislation can be found at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.
