ASH, 102 Clifton Street, LONDON, EC2A 4HW.
Tel 020 7739 5902 Fax 020 7613 0531

ASH Daily News

22 November 2005

[View html version: http://www.globalink.org/nbuk]

HEADLINES

Pub goers would visit more often with total smoking ban: industry survey reveals

UK pub chief describes partial smoking ban as 'unworkable'

Smokers 'should pay for care': private health care survey finds

Ireland's Health Minister is 'proud' of smoking ban decision

People in debt not prepared to quit smoking: ClearDebt survey


FULL TEXT

Pub goers would visit more often with total smoking ban: industry survey reveals


The Publican magazine in conjunction with Marketpublic, undertook a survey of 575 pub-goers' attitudes to pubs and about the potential smokefree legislation.

The survey revealed that 41% of women and 46% of men would visit their local pub more often if a comprehensive smoking ban was brought in.

Results include:

Do you smoke? Female: no 76%, yes 24%, Male: no 79%, yes 21%

Would you be more likely to eat in pubs if smoking was banned?
Female: no 34%, yes 66%, Male: no 33%, 67%

The Publican 21/11/05 http://www.thepublican.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=19149&d=11



UK pub chief describes partial smoking ban as 'unworkable'


Ted Tuppen, Chief Executive of Enterprise Inns PLC, Britain's biggest tenanted pubs group, described the government's smoking legislation, which seeks to ban smoking in pubs and clubs that serve food, as "ludicrous and entirely unworkable."

"The current legislation is illogical," Mr Tuppen said. "It protects bar staff and waiters working in food-led outlets, but offers no protection to staff in a smoking environment. Coupled to this there is a debate raging over what defines 'food' in a pub. It's impossible to see the current legislation working... I can't see it making a third reading in parliament" Mr Tuppen said.

"We would prefer to see a phased reduction in smokers' areas leading possibly to an outright ban," he continued.

Enterprise which operates an estate of approximately 8,600 tenanted pubs in the UK said it was working closely with its landlords to develop a 'relevant strategy plan' ahead of the ban. "About three-quarters of our estate have outside facilities so we're looking at providing support to enhance and develop these areas," he continued.

Forbes 22/11/05 http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/11/22/afx2349897.html



Smokers 'should pay for care': private health care survey finds


A survey carried out by private health care provider Bupa of more than 2000 adults has found strong views on patients who became sick because of their eating, smoking or drinking habits.

More than four out of 10 Britons believe people who fail to look after their health should face penalties. Around a third of respondents wanted to charge patients who smoke, drink or are obese for their medical treatment, one in 12 believed that such people should be refused treatment altogether.

The survey, which came ahead of Bupa's annual Health Debate, also found that close to half of those polled believed the Government should increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, Bupa group medical director, said: "We were particularly surprised that people have taken such a hard-line view on self-inflicted illnesses, with so many saying they should not be treated at all. There is clear evidence from this study to support the view that individuals feel they should be accountable for their own health and well-being."

Daily Mail 22/11/05 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=369368&in_page_id=1774




Ireland's Health Minister is 'proud' of smoking ban decision


During Shaun Woodward's short tenure as Health Minister in Northern Ireland, which began last May, he has initiated a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.

He said that "I look back on the day when I announced a total smoking ban with enormous pride because for decades Northern Ireland has been stuck with the terrible reality of its troubles and been held back historically by being regarded as somewhere that followed on from England.

"Today in 2005 Northern Ireland we can say we are the progressive bit of the UK. We are the bit that leads, that wants to lead. Northern Ireland is today ahead of England and Wales. I think Northern Ireland should be proud of this. It was a watershed moment."

Belfast Telegraph 21/11/05 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=670201




People in debt not prepared to quit smoking: ClearDebt survey


People with debt problems are more prepared to cut their children's activities than to give up smoking, a survey revealed. ClearDebt, a Manchester based debt advisory company undertook a survey of 309 people which showed that four out of ten debtors don't talk to anyone else about their money problems.

The survey shows that smoking, second holidays and satellite television are all regarded as more important than being free of debt. Regardless of whether the person smoked or had children, the one item they refused to economise on was their second holiday, with 53% adamant on this. Smoking came second with 48% refusing to cut down or quit.

Commenting, ClearDebt marketing director, Andrew Smith, said "It seems sad that a person with a twenty-a-day habit, who could save around £2,000 a year by stopping smoking, would rather cut back on their children's ballet lessons or football club."

"But, the real story here is that people in debt really don't want to cut back on any of their luxuries if they can help it - or maybe just that things considered luxuries a few years ago are now considered essentials".

The Mail on Sunday 20/11/05
Link to ClearDebt press release http://www.cleardebt.co.uk/cd_press_1.php

---------------------------------
Unsubscribe:

Public subscribers: http://www.ash.org.uk/?unsubscribe
Globalink members: http://member.globalink.org
----------------------------------

Sarah Ward
Information Manager
Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)
102 Clifton Street
London
EC2A 4HW

Tel: 020 7739 5902
Fax: 020 7613 0531
e-mail: sarah.ward@ash.org.uk
web: http://www.ash.org.uk
map: http://uk2.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?pc=EC2A4HW