Smoking in public places

Self regulation of businesses is not working

Britain's environment minister, James Clappison, has released results of a National Opinion Poll study of provision of smoke free indoor environments by businesses that deal with the public.1 Attempting to put a flattering spin on the findings, his press release claims “a substantial increase in the number of establishments covered by a smoking policy (between 1992 and 1995). In the travel sector, the percentage has doubled.” But reading the report itself, only those content with bleak expectations bound to the incrementalist gains of self regulation could share the minister's enthusiasm. Only 38% of businesses in the travel sector were described as having effective policies. Just 36% of restaurants qualified and, most damning, even health establishments (at 71%) failed to reach the government white paper's modest target of 80%.2

Workplaces and restaurants are the public venues that expose the greatest number of people to environmental …