Liz Lynne: Ban would help 72,000 West Midlands smokers quit

1.25.00pm GMT Wed 25th Jan 2006

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands and co-chair of MEPs Against Cancer, today called for a total ban on smoking in public places, after research found that the ban could lead to 72,000 smokers in the West Midlands region quitting within the next year.

The new statistics, released this week by Asthma UK and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), show that more than 1 in 4 adults in the West Midlands currently smoke. Stoke-on-Trent has the highest prevalence of smokers in the region at 33%.

Commenting on the findings, Liz Lynne, who had previously called for a voluntary ban, said:

"It is unfortunate that restaurants and bars were not able to regulate their own establishments and keep clearly separated areas for smokers. But without their complete cooperation, a total ban is now the only way to ensure members of the public and staff are protected from harm."

"These figures clearly show the benefits of stubbing out smoking in public places. 72,000 smokers would quit for good. That's 72,000 reasons in the West Midlands alone to put a ban in place."

The research also examined the impact of passive smoking, particularly on the region's 363,000 asthma sufferers who told researchers other people's smoke made their asthma worse.

Liz Lynne, who is herself asthmatic, said:

"Passive smoking always aggravates asthma, and can trigger a potentially fatal attack. Asthma sufferers miss out on going to pubs and clubs, and I know first-hand how difficult it can be to find a smoke-free restaurant. It is completely unacceptable for sufferers to have their health and quality of life affected in this way."

"It is of course right that adults should be free to smoke in private, but employees and customers also have a right to work or relax in a place that doesn't endanger their health."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The study by Asthma UK and ASH comes from research provided by the University of Portsmouth, and analysis of government statistics. For more information, go to www.asthma.org.uk or www.ash.org.uk.

2. The research found that nationally, more than 1 in 4 adults in England smoke, and that as many as 689,000 smokers could quit within a year if a total ban on smoking in public places is introduced.

3. MPs will have a free vote on whether to make all workplaces and public spaces, including pubs and clubs, smoke-free when the Government's Health Bill is voted on in the next few weeks.

4. For detailed statistics on smokers in the West Midlands region by county or area, please contact Asthma UK or Liz Lynne MEP.