Almost 60% of adults in Wales would allow smoking rooms in pubs and clubs

Sun 26th March, 2017

Ten years after the introduction of the smoking ban, almost 60 per cent adults living in Wales think pubs and private members’ clubs, including working men’s clubs, should be allowed to provide a well-ventilated designated smoking room to accommodate smokers.

A Populus survey of more than 1,000 adults living in Wales found that 58 per cent of the public would allow smoking rooms, with only 37 per cent opposed to the idea.

Women (56 per cent) were just as likely as men (59 per cent) to think pubs and clubs should be allowed to accommodate smokers in a designated smoking room.

Three-quarters (76 per cent) of smokers think that pubs and private members’ clubs should be allowed to provide a smoking room, compared to half of non-smokers (51 per cent).

The poll was conducted ahead of the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban in Wales (2nd April).

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest that commissioned the poll, said:

"Politicians like to claim the smoking ban has been a huge popular success. This poll suggests they are out of touch with many ordinary people.

"While most people understandably prefer to work and socialise in a smoke free environment, a majority of adults in Wales seem willing to compromise, unlike our elected representatives.

"Designated smoking rooms offer a third way. Those who don't want to be exposed to tobacco smoke would continue to be protected but it would give adults who choose to smoke somewhere to light up indoors, in comfort.

"No pub or club would be compelled to provide a smoking room. The proprietor or club members would choose.

"In light of this survey, designated smoking rooms should be considered as a serious policy option by the government in Wales.

"The fact that so many people support designated smoking rooms, ten years after the smoking ban was introduced, shows that this issue will not go away.”

Populus interviewed 1,000 adults living in Wales online from 6-14th March 2017.

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