Most smokers worldwide support workplace bans: poll

NEW YORK. November 18. KAZINFORM Even smokers support bans to prohibit lighting up in the workplace, according to a new survey; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

The international poll of nearly 5,000 people by research institute RTI International and Harris Interactive showed that nearly three-quarters of workers who smoke and 87 percent of employers support a smoke-free work environment.

"Although there was widespread variations among countries, overall the results demonstrate global support for workplace smoking bans," said Michael Halpern, of RIT who is one of the authors of the report.

"This study shows support for additional programs and policies to increase those bans and assist employees with smoking cessation," he added in a statement.

The strongest support for smoking bans was in India where 85 percent of people voted for smoke-free workplaces, followed by Japan with 75 percent. But only one-third of Germans and 27 percent of Poles thought bans should be in place.

The researchers also found that smokers estimated that they spent about one hour a day puffing on cigarettes, although the majority of people polled did not think the habit had a negative financial impact on the company; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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