Smokers back cigarette ban

The scale of support for a ban on smoking in public places is revealed today.

An Evening Standard poll shows the overwhelming majority of Londoners favour tough new measures for a ban in restaurants and workplaces.

The YouGov research reveals that even smokers themselves support new laws - with the majority backing moves to outlaw the habit at work and in restaurants.

Only smoking in pubs remains deeply contentious - with almost all smokers insisting they should be allowed to light up in bars. The poll comes amid mounting pressure for a ban on smoking in public places to tackle spiralling rates of tobaccorelated illnesses.

Ministers are under intense pressure from the medical community to take action - but fear a bitter backlash from voters.

They are particularly worried the legislation could bring "nanny state" accusations.

But our poll raises serious doubts that a ban would lose votes, with almost all of those questioned favouring new restrictions.

Overall, 85 per cent of smokers and non-smokers favour outlawing smoking in all workplaces, with support for a ban in offices even higher, at 89 per cent. Just under 80 per cent of those polled back a restaurants ban, while 79 per cent would support a ban in public areas like shopping centres.

More than half of smokers - 56 per cent - say they would back moves to outlaw smoking in restaurants, while 82 per cent support an offices ban.

The deepest division between the two camps relates to pubs - with 16 per cent of smokers favouring a ban there.

Peter Kellner, chairman of YouGov, who analysed the figures, said: "The striking thing about these results is that smokers themselves seem to want a ban." But he added: "On the whole, smokers regard pubs as their one legitimate outlet."

Evening Standard's YouGov poll puts the number of people in London who smoke slightly higher than official figures of around 13 million adults.

The scale of support for a ban will be a major boost to anti-smoking campaigners who have lobbied ministers for new legislation.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson of the British Medical Association said: " Londoners clearly want the freedom to be able to work and socialise without their health being put at risk."

The Prime Minister has hinted the Government could give local authorities the power to impose bans.