Backing from the North-west

A survey, carried out by the North-west Public Health Team, based in Manchester, showed overwhelming public support for a ban on smoking in restaurants, pubs and cafes. Of 15,000 people questioned, 78 per cent wanted cafes, restaurants and offices to be smoke free and 57 per cent wanted bars and pubs to be no-smoking areas.

The team's regional tobacco policy manager, Brenda Fullard, said: "I welcome the opportunity for people in Bolton to be given the chance to voice their opinion through the Bolton Evening News. The right to enjoy clean air, free from tobacco smoke pollution has been denied to the vast majority of people in this region."

If you want to give up smoking NOW, call Bolton Fresh Focus on 01204 360008 or the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0169.

The Big Smoke debate has shown the strength of support for smoke free work and public places in the North-west. It also shows support for legislation to enforce it. All confirm the strength of opinion for a smoke free society."

The North-west Public Health Team was set up three years ago to address the growing problems of smoking-related illness, obesity and a lack of exercise in regions throughout the country to combat the amount of money spent treating these conditions on the National Health Service.

They have been hailed a huge success by the Government who set them up as part of a re-structure of the Department of Health.

Part of the role of the Public Health Team is to campaign against smoking to make the North-west a healthier place to live and work. This includes encouraging a ban on smoking in public buildings.

Big Smoke Debate Results

14,222 people living or working in the North-west took part in the debate,

78 per cent of those people wanted cafes, restaurants and offices to be completely smoke free,

57 per cent wanted bars and pubs to be smoke free,

Less than six per cent wanted smoking throughout pubs and restaurants,

Four out of five people who responded said they were bothered by tobacco smoke.