Half of those questioned wanted smoking in pubs banned

The poll, carried out by Mori for Action on Smoking and Health, found 72% of the poorest class supported a ban compared with 86% of the wealthiest.

Over 4,000 people were questioned for the survey which also showed two thirds of smokers supported a ban.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary John Reid said smoking was one of the few pleasures working class people had.

Workplace smoking bans have recently been introduced in Ireland and Norway.

No one should regard this poll as a definitive expression of public opinion Simon Clark, Forest

The UK government's consultation period for its forthcoming Public Health White Paper - which looked at public opinions about a ban - ended on Friday.

The Mori poll categorised people into AB - upper middle/middle class, C1 - lower middle class, C2 - upper working class and DE - working class.

It found 83% of those in class C1 and 79% in social class C2 also supported a ban.

Eighty per cent of all those surveyed wanted to see laws put in place to ensure that all enclosed workplaces were smoke-free.

Of those, two thirds wanted to see national legislation while 21% supported the idea of new powers for local councils.

'Clear proposal'

When people were asked which workplaces they wanted to see smoking banned in:-

• 96% backed a ban in NHS hospitals
• 85% in shopping centres
• 79% in restaurants
• 78% in caf�s
• 62% in railway stations
• 49% in pubs and bars
• 47% in nightclubs

Support for a ban was seen across supporters of all political parties.

Deborah Arnott, director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "This poll is the most authoritative and largest ever conducted on the proposal for a new smoke-free law.

"It shows overwhelming public support for such a law, following its clear success in New York, Ireland and elsewhere.

"This support extends to smokers and non-smokers alike, and across every region and social class."

She added: "Nothing less than a clear proposal for a new law will do if the government is serious about protecting non-smokers and helping smokers to quit."

Simon Clark, director of smoking lobby group Forest, said: "The result is inconsistent with other independent opinions polls where only a minority support a blanket ban in pubs, clubs and restaurants.

"We welcome any new research but no one should regard this poll as a definitive expression of public opinion."