Pub cigarette machines `need to go`

Three quarters of British adults think all pubs should get rid of their cigarette vending machines, research shows.

A poll for Cancer Research UK found that 75 per cent of people thought the machines should be abolished, while 70 per cent also wanted tobacco products out of sight in shops.

Of the 2,000 surveyed, more than three in four (76%) said they supported the smoking ban, which has been in place in England for two years this week.

According to another Cancer Research report, a rapid decline in the number of smokers occurred for about nine months after the ban was first enacted.

The ongoing Smoking Toolkit Study, which tracks smoking on a monthly basis, said that although the decline was followed by a slight rebound, it 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 the new laws have not only protected UK workers from second-hand smoke, they have also greatly aided smokers in quitting the habit.

"These results show there's huge public support for the new measures to protect young people from tobacco marketing," she added.

Copyright Press Association 2009

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