Smoking ban reducing death and illness rates

THE smoking ban is reducing illnesses and deaths in Plymouth, according to a city health expert.

The once-controversial ban, which came into force exactly a year ago today, is reducing the amount of illnesses caused by second-hand smoke, says Sarah Wyatt, smoking cessation manager at the Plymouth Primary Care Trust.

She said: “Removing smoking from indoor workplaces and public places is reducing illnesses and the number of deaths from medical conditions caused by second-hand smoke.

“Last year the Plymouth NHS Stop Smoking Service helped 2,120 people to quit smoking.

“In the three months after the smoking ban the service saw a 40 per cent increase in the number of clients that came through, compared to previous years.

“This year the service has seen more people than ever before in a range of settings – GP practices, community centres, children's centres, specialist drop-ins and clinics.

“It is too soon to be able to measure the health impact of the legislation in Plymouth but we do know that over the past eight years prevalence of smoking has dropped from 33 per cent to 28 per cent.”

When the smoking ban legislation came into force on July 1, last year, there was an outcry from some smokers.

Many felt their liberties were being taken away – and others didn't understand why some pubs couldn't just allow smokers and other pubs could ban them.

However, on today's first anniversary of the smoking ban, the arguments have died down and most people seem to see the ban as a good thing.

Council officers charged with keeping Plymouth's public places smoke free said the law had had a “smooth introduction” over the past year. The council's Public Protection Service has encountered “very few problems” in enforcing it.

Businesses have also played their part, according to Plymouth City Council, with managers taking action where needed to ensure their premises stay smoke free.

Environmental health officer Dan Preece said: “In partnership with Plymouth's Stop Smoking Service we did a lot of work in advance, training local businesses on their new legal duties as part of our 'Managing the Shift to Smoke Freedom' campaign.

“We're sure this is one of the main reasons why Plymouth has seen a high level of compliance with the smokefree legislation and we haven't faced any major enforcement problems.

“On the whole the campaign has been a great success.”

The council said that, since July 1, last year, the Public Protection Service has:

Served only nine fixed penalty notices – all for smoking or failing to display signage in work vehicles. One remains unpaid and subject to further legal action.

Assessed 739 premises for smoke free compliance, with a compliance rate of 95 per cent.

Assessed 503 premises for signage compliance, again, with a compliance rate of 95 per cent.

Received and dealt with 85 requests for a service, including providing information and dealing with complaints.

Cllr Glenn Jordan, cabinet member for health, communities and leisure, said: “All credit to our enforcement team for the way they've ensured such a high level of compliance in pubs, clubs and other public places in the city.

“They have played a major part in enabling people to be out and about in Plymouth, enjoying eating and drinking in smokefree and more family friendly environments.

“And city workers have benefited from healthier, safer workplaces in which they are protected from the damaging effects of second-hand smoke.”

So it's been a year of good news for clean air lovers.

However, it isn't perfect yet, said Sarah Wyatt. She said: “The legislation is only part of an overall tobacco control strategy. More needs to be done to reduce the figures further – and, at the same time, reducing the death and disease rate attributable to smoking.”

Ms Wyatt said that the smoking ban 'seems to have been very well accepted in Plymouth'.

She said: “We have certainly seen a rise in people wanting to give up smoking and they have told us that the ban has encouraged them to give up, especially when they can no longer smoke at work.

“We are very pleased with the progress here in Plymouth.”

Ms Wyatt said that figures this month show that 22.9 per cent of Plymouth women smoke during pregnancy and 27.6 per cent of Plymouth adults smoke.

She said that 452 deaths a year are caused in Plymouth from smoking.

Peter Jones, chairman of the city's Licensed Leisure Association, said: “The premises in the city have adapted very well over the year and we haven't had problems with customers. The only drawback is a massive loss on fruit machines over the year – but otherwise the change in the law has been taken well.”