The partial smoking ban in licensed establishments and health inequalities in England: modelling study

摘要

The UK government's white paper Choosing Health proposes prohibiting smoking in public places in England, but exempts public houses (pubs) not serving catered food and licensed establishments that require membership.1 However, passive inhalation of smoke at work may cause 600 deaths per year in the United Kingdom and increases morbidity and mortality among bar workers.2 Furthermore, people attempting to quit smoking find that socialising with other smokers makes quitting difficult, and lapses in quitting are more likely in premises where smoking is permitted.Concerns exist that exempt establishments are located primarily in deprived areas with the highest smoking prevalence and that a partial ban worsens health inequalities.4 We examined if exempt establishments were located predominandy in deprived areas in the borough of Telford and Wrekin.