Fag trade in latest bogus poll scam

June 7, 2005 - ASH PRESS RELEASE

The Tobacco Manufacturers\'Association today (Wednesday) publishes yet another piece of bogus poll evidence on public attitudes to smoking restrictions at work. According to the TMA, "the poll showed that 84 per cent of Britons agree that smokers should be allowed to smoke provided they do not inconvenience others."

Commenting, ASH Public Affairs Manager Ian Willmore said: "So dishonest is the tobacco lobby that it cannot even bear to commission a poll which asks the public a straight question. Cigarette firms won't admit that other people's smoke is a threat to your health. So this poll asks about smoking as an 'inconvenience' - not the killer that it really is.

In fact, all polls that ask clear questions on this issue get a clear reply - four fifths of the public want an end to smoking in all workplaces. Pubs are workplaces. This poll is the last desperate gasp of the fag trade, trying to stave off this long overdue public health reform."