On Tuesday 1st July, England’s landmark smokefree legislation turned 18, a new report highlights the enormous public health gains achieved. But data from health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) warns that millions remain exposed to harmful secondhand smoke, particularly in social settings.
The legislation, which banned smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, is widely seen as the great public health success of the last 20 years. A new summary of the evidence finds significant health benefits, limited evidence of economic harms and widespread compliance and public support. Notably, an estimated 14,000 babies’ lives were saved in the four years after the law’s introduction, due to mothers having lower exposure to second hand smoke during pregnancy. Despite these successes new figures from ASH reveal persistent public exposure to tobacco smoke:
- 72% of people report recent exposure to secondhand smoke, most commonly while socialising (41%).
- Young adults aged 18–24 are especially affected: 86% report exposure in the past three months, with 57% citing social occasions as the main setting.
Wendy Allsop from Grimsby said:
“At first when the smoking ban came in, I felt angry and restricted by it and having to go out in the cold and rain, but the inconvenience made me reflect on my smoking. It wasn’t fun standing out there on my own, I realised I was missing out, and with the help of a tobacco dependency advisor, I managed to quit.
“Unfortunately, I have had some significant health problems including kidney and lung cancer, both of which I’m certain was caused by smoking. I’m pleased to say because I quit smoking and my lungs were strong enough to undergo surgery, I and am now cancer free. I’ve never felt better, and I can’t imagine smoking now.
“I can honestly say that the indoor smoking ban saved my life – it changed the environment made smoking harder. I’d have carried on smoking without it, and most likely not be here, because tobacco is so lethal”
In 2023, the Government proposed extending smokefree legislation to include outdoor hospitality areas. However, following industry pushback – particularly from the hospitality sector – the plans were shelved.
ASH’s latest polling raises serious questions about these concerns. The data show:
- 66% of the public dislike being exposed to tobacco smoke in outdoor seating areas.
- 40% of those who visit pubs, cafés and restaurants say they would be more likely to visit smokefree hospitality venues, compared to just 19% who say they’d be less likely.
An academic review of the past 18 years of smokefree laws found no compelling evidence that the legislation has harmed the pub trade. With smoking rates now 40% lower than in 2007, the case for further protections is even stronger.
Scott Crosby, Associate Director of the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence said:
“Hearing Wendy’s story shows how significant the indoor smoking ban was and is just one example of the millions of lives it has extended and saved. Whether that be because of people like Wendy who quit tobacco following the legislation, or non-smokers whose exposure to the deadly harms of secondhand smoker was reduced.
“We know tobacco is uniquely lethal – there is no safe level of consumption. It makes sense to remove the harm from more public places and further denormalise smoking, and the evidence shows us that this is what the public want too.
“The only people who benefit from smoking are the tobacco industry, who make money from people’s ill health. Wendy proves that changing the environment was a huge motivator for her – let’s push further to help more people to quit and save more lives.”
Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of ASH, said:
“There are children becoming adults this year who have never known smoke-filled public spaces and who might not be alive today if it weren’t for the life-saving impact of smokefree legislation.
“Extending smokefree laws would be popular, effective, and good for business. The public is ready for change. A world with fewer smokers and less exposure to tobacco smoke benefits us all.”