Smoke-free England a breath of fresh air
01 July 2007

People with asthma across England can breathe a huge sigh of relief as the long-awaited smoke-free legislation comes into effect.

England has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world with 4.4 million people affected by this serious, widespread but controllable condition.

Mikis Euripides, Assistant Director of Policy & Public Affairs at Asthma UK says: ‘For people with asthma the effects of smoking can be deadly. 82% of people with asthma in England tell us that cigarette smoke makes their symptoms worse and 15% of full and part-time workers with asthma have told us that they are exposed to other people’s cigarette smoke at work.

‘The legislation will be truly life-changing for these people. It will ensure that they are protected from second-hand smoke in the workplace and allow them to socialise in enclosed public places without the fear of a fatal asthma attack.’

Smoke-free legislation is a major triumph for Asthma UK, which has worked tirelessly to lobby the Government to pass this historic piece of legislation. The charity is now calling on the Government to maintain a strong smoking control strategy by continuing to highlight the dangers of smoking and ring-fencing funds for smoking cessation services.

Mikis adds: 'Whilst we welcome the new legislation, more work must be done to encourage people to give up this deadly habit. Over 800,000 people with asthma in England are smokers themselves, increasing their risk of asthma symptoms, asthma attacks and permanent damage to the airways. It is vital that adequate support services are available to these people following 1 July to help them kick the habit once and for all.'