Australia: Smoking Bans Encourage Smokers To Give Up

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 03 Oct 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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Quit Victoria says that the ban on smoking in bars is helping smokers give up.

The anti-smoking body's executive director Fiona Sharkie said that in the three months since the July 1 smoking bans, weekend calls to the Victorian Quitline had increased by almost 20 per cent, compared to the three months before the bans.

Ms Sharkie said bars and clubs no longer provided an encouragement and endorsement for smoking more cigarettes.

"In the past, many smokers would not have considered giving up smoking over weekends as they would be spending time in licensed venues where, traditionally, smoking has had social approval," she said.

"Now, with the introduction of indoor smoking bans in bars and clubs, many smokers are viewing the weekend and socialising in these venues as an opportunity to try and kick the habit in a more supportive environment.

"Although much progress has been made in tobacco control in Australia, there is still much work to be done, especially as we are dealing with a tobacco industry adept at using below the line tactics to target new generations of potential smokers."

http://www.ash.org.uk