HEALTH workers in north Essex have disputed a national survey which suggests the ban on smoking in public has not affected the number of quitters.

The survey – which questioned 7,000 smokers, was carried out by the NHS for ministers and it showed while the number of women smoking remained constant at 21 per cent, in men it rose to 24 per cent.

Figures for north-east Essex show between July 1 2007 – when the ban was introduced – and September 30 about 567 people quit smoking.

This compared to 357 in the same period for 2006 and 495 this year.

Sue White, manager of the NHS Stop Smoking Service, said there had definitely been a rise in quitters in the year since the ban.

She said: “There was the ban factor from July 2007, which we can see with the figures.

“Having said that, when you look at the figures for 2006 that was quite a low rate.

“Some people might have gone back to smoking because not everyone is successful at quitting the first time.”

But she added the report did not mention the effect on passive smoking.

She said: “The whole point of the smoking ban was to reduce the number of people subjected to passive smoking.

“We know this is happening because smoking is now banned in workplaces.

“Last year people were coming to us saying they were quitting because of the ban, but this year the reason is health.

“The cost of smoking doesn’t seem to be stopping people smoking, even in these tough times.

“But then a lot of people smoke more due to stress and if they are worrying about work or money then they are likely to smoke more.

“Our theme for the new year is going to be about trying again because people often don’t succeed the first time.”

For more information on quitting smoking, call the team on 0800 731 2656.