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Public support for Southport
beach summer holiday smoking ban
THE majority of people in the North West would
support a beach smoking ban during the summer holidays, an opinion poll has
indicated. The survey was commissioned by Pharmacy2U found out that more than
(52%) from North West think local beaches should be no smoking zones during the
holiday season and 1 in 6 (17%) would travel further to visit a smoke free
coastline.
According to the survey2 commissioned by the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service,
many from the North West also thought there should be smoking restrictions in
playgrounds (62%), outdoor restaurants (40%) and parks (39%).
Nationally, the research found that nearly ˝ (48%) thought a smoking ban would
make traditional seaside towns more attractive places to visit, with just one in
11 (9%) saying it would speed the decline of Britain's holiday resorts by
putting smokers off.
However, it also found that people worry more about how they look on the beach
(42%) than the possibility of breathing in cigarette smoke (17%).
Dr Nitin Shori, Medical Director of the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service and a
working NHS GP, said:- "There does appear to be public support for smoking bans
on local beaches; although more people say they are concerned about sunburn,
litter, rowdy behaviour and how they look on the beach, than breathing in
second-hand cigarette smoke."
The research also investigated the nation's smoking habits and indicated one in
15 (7%) of those who tried to stop smoking in the past 12 months said they
decided to quit because the current smoking ban made it less appealing to smoke
socially.
Dr Shori adds:- "The popularity of smoking has been on a downward trend since
the risks became more widely understood in the 1970's. Smoking is still a major
cause of preventable disease and premature deaths in Britain, so health worries
tend to be a big driver for patients who decide to quit. Its addictive nature
means it can be a tough habit to break and although some succeed through
willpower alone, others find nicotine replacement or prescription medication is
helpful."
The survey found one in 50 had successfully quit using Champix (Varenicline)
tablets to reduce their desire to smoke. Many used nicotine replacement therapy,
such and gums and inhalers, and 1 in 10 (10%) said e.cigarettes had helped.
Did you know that.... Brighton and Hove City Council are currently conducting a
12 week Public
Consultation exercise to assess attitudes towards smoking on the
borough's beaches?
About the research...
The research group
ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,024 adults aged 18+ in
GB through online interviewing between 24 July to 27 July 2015. Surveys were
conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile
of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its
rules.
The survey found that the 'Top 10' things that worried people when visiting a
beach on a hot sunny day:-
1. How they look in swimwear (28%)
2. Feeling conscious about being overweight (24%)
3. Litter on the beach (22%)
4. Them or their child getting sunburn (20%)
5. People being drunk or rowdy (20%)
6. Breathing in other people's cigarette smoke (17%)
7. Not being tanned enough (14%)
8. It could aggravate a skin condition (e.g. eczema, hives) (6%)
9. The risk of drowning (6%)
10. People seeing their feet (because of how they look/ a fungal nail infection
etc) (4%)
Overall 42% were conscious of how they looked (wearing swimwear, being
overweight, not tanned enough or not wanting people to see their feet).
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