| A major new opinion poll which for the first time surveys the general public in all four countries of the United Kingdom reveals that each and every country overwhelmingly backs a new law to end smoking in all workplaces. They also back specific action to ensure that all pubs and bars are smokefree. The news fatally undermines the Government's claim that exemptions from smokefree legislation for non-food pubs and clubs are needed in England, because the English public will not back the comprehensive law being introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The poll was conducted by polling firm You Gov and commissioned by Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) [1]. Asked if they would support legislation to make all workplaces smokefree, including pubs and restaurants, 72% said yes. The figure for England was 71%, the same as for Scotland. Given a list of specific public places, 67% across the UK said that all pubs and bars should be smokefree by law. The figure for England was 66% up from 51% in Spring 2004. Cancer Research UK's Chief Executive, Professor Alex Markham, commented: “Ministers have said again and again that public opinion in England does not support a comprehensive smokefree law. This large and robust poll shows once again that this is just plain wrong. Ask the question any way you like - at least two thirds of the public across the UK would support a ban including pubs and bars. And the level of support in England is much the same as in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The widely derided exemptions for pubs and clubs must now be dropped from the Health Bill. The experience of other countries shows that smokefree legislation must be comprehensive if it is to be successful.” ASH Director Deborah Arnott commented: “This poll must surely be the final decisive piece of evidence that Ministers need to abandon their unpopular and unworkable bodge for English pubs and membership clubs. There is no longer any significant public support for this idea, and a long litany of reasons - from industry, local Government and health experts - showing why it won't work. The time has come for Prime Minister Tony Blair to make his position clear. His New Year's resolution should be to announce that smokefree legislation will be as comprehensive in England as in every other part of the UK. There would be nothing for the Government to lose from this decision, and so much for all of us to gain. Ending smoking in all workplaces would leave an enduring legacy of which any Prime Minister could be proud.” DETAILED RESULTS | 