Scientists call for smoke-free areas outside pubs

Researchers in New Zealand have said banning smoking outside bars could help social smokers kick the habit.

Academics at the University of Otago in Dunedin believe that extending smoking bans to include spaces outside pubs and clubs could help to curb "social smoking". In a report published by Tobacco Control journal, the researchers claim that while there is evidence to show smoking in general has decreased, an increasing number of young adults are now smoking intermittently or in certain situations.

The study's lead author, Professor Janet Hoek, said: "Introducing smoke-free outdoors bars could reduce social smoking by removing cues that stimulate this behaviour and changing the environment that facilitates it."

A ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces, including pubs, came into force in England in July 2007.

According to a report by the Daily Telegraph, the vast majority of social smokers involved in the study supported idea of extending smoking bans. However, Martin Dockrell, of the UK anti-smoking campaign group Ash, told the newspaper that an outdoor ban would only be worth investigating if evidence emerges that such a move would help occasional smokers.