When we campaigned on this issue, exposure to toxic chemicals from second-hand smoke at work caused over 600 deaths each year across the UK, including the death of one hospitality worker a week.
It was estimated that non-smokers, exposed to smoke in the workplace, increased their lung cancer and heart disease risk by approximately 25%.
Despite these health risks, 8% of the British workforce worked in places with no restrictions on smoking, and 38% worked in places where smoking was allowed in designated areas.
In 2004, over 20,000 of our campaigners emailed their MPs and signed a petition calling for the UK Government to end smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public spaces. This campaigning came after the UK Government published a whitepaper on public health which included a similar proposal to ban smoking indoors, but had exemptions for private clubs and pubs where food wasn’t served.
As part of the Health Act 2006, smokefree workplaces came into law in England (commonly known as the ‘smoking ban’). Pubs and employers had to comply with the new laws from July 2007.
This followed the introduction of a similar law in Scotland in 2006 and Wales and Northern Ireland in early 2007.
Since the introduction of these new laws people are no longer exposed to cigarette smoke in indoor public places and workplaces, and research has shown that fewer people now smoke in their own homes.
Launched in 2022, we’ve campaigned for action and funding to help tackle the number one cause of cancer in the UK – smoking.
Before plain, standard cigarette packs were introduced, we successfully campaigned to cover up tobacco displays in shops and remove tobacco vending machines.
In March 2015, MPs voted in favour of plain, standard cigarette packs. This was a huge victory for public health, giving millions of children one less reason to start smoking.
Hospitality workers’ exposure to harmful second-hand smoke has fallen by 95 per cent since smokefree workplaces were introduced in England on 1 July 2007.
Learn about the ways our campaigner community is driving political action to help beat cancer.
Join our community of over 50,000 online campaigners across the UK.
Take part in our community of over 200 volunteer Campaign Ambassadors helping to influence governments across the UK to take action on cancer and driving improvements for cancer in their local communities.
