Approval for smoking ban still growing
02 October 2006



Nearly two years on from smoking being banned in all New Zealand pubs, support for the ban is still growing, according to a Ministry of Health survey released yesterday.

The survey found 82 per cent of people approved of the smoking ban in pubs, bars and nightclubs, up from 74 per cent in 2005 and just 61 per cent in 2004.

The percentage of smokers who approved of the ban had more than doubled since 2004 - 64 per cent now versus 29 per cent then.

Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said the survey results were encouraging.

"It is particularly pleasing to see such a huge jump in the number of smokers who approve of the ban."

For restaurants, the percentage who approved of the ban was even higher - 90 per cent in total and 75 per cent of smokers.

The smokefree legislation, which came into force on December 10, 2004, banned smoking in the workplace.

That year, 21 per cent of people said they had been exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace. This year, the percentage was still 8 per cent despite the blanket ban.

"Our goal is to see this number drop even further to ensure no one is exposed to second-hand smoke in their work environment," Mr O'Connor said.

- NZPA