Thousands in Merseyside kick the smoking habit after ban

Jul 1 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Smoking (320)

THE smoking ban has prompted thousands of people to give up the habit in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Figures released one year after the law was introduced show every borough except Wirral has seen a rise in the number of people quitting between April 2007-8, compared with the previous year. And Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have reported a 20% overall rise in successful quitters.

Despite some Merseyside pubs being hit financially, many licensees have spoken favourably of the ban.

Anna Slater, of The Grapes, on Roscoe Street, said: “I campaigned strongly against having a ban and I was a smoker.

“But, although it pains me to say so, it’s lovely and I’ve even given up smoking. Our takings are actually up.”

Since the ban, only nine people have been fined in Liverpool and three prosecuted for smoking illegally, after 5,235 businesses were inspected.

In Wirral, only eight fixed penalty notices were issued, for offences ranging from smoking in a work vehicle to displaying incorrect signs, and there have been no prosecutions.

Smokers in Halton and St Helens are the success story of the region, with 3,519 people quitting between April 2007-8, compared to 2,335 the previous year.