Strong Support For Workplace Smoking Law

There is considerable public demand for a ban on smoking in workplaces according to a MORI Social Research Institute survey for public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

This survey was conducted to gauge UK attitudes towards smoking in workplaces coinciding with a Government White Paper on public health and also in reaction to the Government's public consultation on its policies called the "Big Conversation". This consultation has been inviting views on whether Local Councils should be given the power to bring in smoking restrictions in workplaces and public places.

Eighty-nine percent of UK residents believe that all employees should have the right to work in a smoke free environment. Furthermore, four out of five (80%) support a law to ensure that all enclosed workplaces should be smoke free. Of those who support smoke free laws, 64% want to see national legislation by Government and 21% prefer legislation by local Councils (as suggested in Labour's Big Conversation document).

Even regular smokers support a new law: the survey shows support from 59% of daily smokers and 68% of infrequent smokers. Despite suggestions that smoke free legislation is a "middle class" concern, this poll reveals that support for a smoke free workplace law is strong across all social classes:

• 86% of social class AB support the proposal
• 83% of social class C1 support the proposal
• 79% of social class C2 support the proposal
• 72% of social class DE support the proposal

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 4,060 adults aged 16+ at 192 sampling points across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted on the MORI face-to-face Omnibus across the UK in two waves, firstly between 15-19 April 2004, and secondly between 29 April and 4 May 2004. Data are weighed to match the profile of the population.

Topline Results

• 4,060 interviews conducted face-to-face with residents in Great Britain aged 15 years and over.
• Fieldwork conducted on two waves of the MORI Omnibus -- Wave 14 (15-19 April 2004); Wave 16 (29 April - 4 May 2004).
• Data weighed to standard demographic characteristics (gender, age, work status, region and social class).
• An "*" denotes a percentage of less than 0.5%
• Base: All, unless otherwise stated.

The next few questions are asking about smoking in public places. Firstly ...

Q1 Which of the following statements best applies to you?

Q2 How strongly, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statement about smoking in the workplace? "All employees should have the right to work in a smoke-free environment".

Q3 Ireland, Canada, Norway and New Zealand have each passed laws to ensure all enclosed workplaces are smoke free. How strongly, if at all, would you support or oppose a proposal to bring in a similar law in this country?

Q4 I am now going to read out a list of public places. After each, please tell me how strongly you feel, if at all, you would support or oppose a law to make it smoke free?

In a recent government consultation it is highlighted that all enclosed public places are also places of work for many people.

Q5 With this in mind, overall, how strongly, if at all, would you support or oppose a law to make all enclosed workplaces, including public places, smoke free?

Q6 Do you think legislation about smoking restrictions should be introduced at a local level by councils or at a national level by the government? Base: All who do not oppose all kinds of smoke free law (4,024)

Q5/6 Overall legislation on enclosed working places including public places