A recent survey has revealed strong North Yorkshire backing for smoke-free enclosed public places.

It also shows many people would be more likely to choose a venue for a night out if it became smoke-free.

The survey of 859 people across North Yorkshire, including 150 in York and 98 in Selby, was conducted by the Centre for Health Promotion and Research at Leeds Metropolitan University.

It asked how acceptable people would find a ban on smoking in enclosed public areas and how much it would influence their visits to pubs, clubs, cafes, shopping centres, leisure centres and bingo halls. The survey was commissioned by the North Yorkshire Tobacco Alliance, involving staff from local Primary Care Trusts.

The findings appear to dispel businesses' fears that a ban would cause a drop in custom, said Professor Jackie Green, who led the research.

For example, more than 40 per cent of respondents said they would be more likely to eat out if smoking were banned, but fewer than eight per cent said they would be less likely.

Even when people were asked how it would influence their decision on whether to go to a pub or bar for a drink, just under 40 per cent still said they would be more likely to go, with 12.4 per cent saying they would be less likely.

Regular smokers were more negative, with 57 per cent saying they strongly disagreed with a ban on smoking in pubs and bars, and 51 per cent strongly opposing a ban in nightclubs. However, only 17 per cent strongly disagreed with a ban on smoking in restaurants.

Prof Green said the overall survey revealed high levels of support for a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

Almost half the respondents said they would completely support such a ban, with another 15.2 per cent tending to support it "a bit." Slightly more than 10 per cent tended not to support it and 15.9 per cent were completely opposed.

Support for a ban was slightly higher in York than the area as a whole. For example, 63.7 per cent supported banning smoking in pubs and bars, compared to 55.2 per cent across the whole region.

Support for banning smoking

Completely against it 15.9

Tend to be a bit against it 10.3

Not sure 8.7

Tend to support it a bit 15.2

Completely support it 49.9

Updated: 09:58 Monday, May 09, 2005