Backing for curbs on smoking in London

Two-thirds of Londoners would back restrictions on smoking in restaurants, it was claimed today.

An internet poll of almost 35,000 found massive support for some form of curbs on smoking in public places.

The results will put pressure on the Government to back the move, and comes as other UK cities look at an outright ban.

The findings are to be considered by Mayor Ken Livingstone who has already backed voluntary moves.

The results, which were previewed in the Evening Standard on Friday, were revealed in full today.

The poll found backing of 60 per cent for "mainly smoke-free" caf鳬 64 per cent for restaurants and 43 per cent for pubs and bars.

Even more people wanted a smoking ban in taxis (83 per cent), while 74 per cent were in favour of a ban in offices and 68 per cent in shopping centres. Nicknamed the Big Smoke Debate, the poll was organised by the London Health Commission which is backed by the Greater London Authority. Today its chairman, Len Duvall, said it was a mandate for change.

"There is overwhelming support for smoke-free public places in the capital," he said.

Curbs are being considered by Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Brighton and Poole. But Mr Livingstone would have to ask the Department of Health to give him extra powers to bring in a ban.

However, Tim Lord of the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said: "This survey is no basis on which to decide London's future policy.

"Almost six out of 10 people preferred a mixture of smoking and non-smoking areas in pubs and bars compared with 43 per cent who opted for ' completely smoke-free'."