Call to ban pub cigarette machines
Updated on 01 July 2009
Most adults believe cigarette vending machines in pubs should be abolished, a survey has shown.
A poll by YouGov for Cancer Research UK found that three-quarters (75%) of respondents were in favour of getting rid of the machines and a similar number (70%) want tobacco products out of sight in shops.
The survey also found the smoking ban, which is marking its second anniversary in England, had been very popular.
Of the 2,000 people questioned, more than 1,500 (76%) said they supported the legislation, with more than half (57%) saying they were strongly in favour of it.
Another report, from Cancer Research's ongoing Smoking Toolkit Study, which tracks smoking on a monthly basis, shows the ban was followed by a rapid decline in the number of smokers for about 9 months, although this was followed by a slight rebound.
The decline amounted to 800,000 fewer smokers.
Professor Robert West, who leads the research at University College, London, said: "The smoke-free law has been a huge boost to smokers trying to quit, but radical action is now needed to build on this success."
Elspeth Lee, head of tobacco control for Cancer Research UK, said: "Smoke-free laws have been a real success - not only in protecting UK workers from second-hand smoke but also helping smokers to quit.
"These results show there's huge public support for the new measures to protect young people from tobacco marketing.
"Stopping the next generation from becoming smokers is a priority if we are to prevent more deaths from a product that has already caused far too many deaths. The public want this and research has shown that future generations will demand it."
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