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Sales fall after cigarette ban
Smoking appears to have declined in the wake of the ban on lighting up in enclosed public spaces in England.
Data collected by AC Nielsen shows retail cigarette sales for the four weeks immediately following 1 July were down almost 7% on the same period in 2006.
The news has been welcomed by health campaigners. Amanda Sandford of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) told the Times: “It's very encouraging. We hope this is indicative of people taking steps to give up smoking altogether.”
However, AC Nielsen warned that it was “too early to tell” whether the data, which excludes pub sales and vending machines, was indicative of the long-term trend. The immediate 6.9% drop is similar to declines seen following the bans in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, but sales in those countries rallied over subsequent months.
It is thought that poor weather, more adverts for smoke-cessation products and the previous year's football World Cup may also have contributed to the difference in figures.
Meanwhile the Guardian reports that several large tobacco firms have responded to the restrictions by launching a website, which locates venues that have outside facilities for smokers.
Category: Healthy Lifestyle
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