Massive Reduction In Smoking In Spain Following Smoking Bans
Written by Rupert Kircz| Tuesday, 03 January 2012| There are 2 comments
an even bigger reduction in the number of adolescent young smokers
Anyone who thinks that smoking bans in public places are not effective in helping people to quit smoking should look at the statistics produced by the health authorities in Spain.
According to both the National Committee for the Prevention of Tobacco (CNPT) and also the Commission for the Tobacco Market an estimated 600,000 Spanish individuals have given up smoking since the ban came into force at the beginning of 2011. The smoking ban made it illegal to smoke in any restaurants, bars, near hospitals and children's playgrounds. It is estimated that the consumption of tobacco in Spain has fallen by 17% as a result.
There is more good news in that there has been an even bigger reduction in the number of adolescent young smokers with figures showing that in 2011 only 12.3% of them smoked compared to 21.5% in 2004.
This reduction in smoking in Spain will result in a huge health care saving for Spanish taxpayer as well as boosting productivity, quality of life and general well being for the whole nation. Smoking bans need to be enforced ruthlessly if they are to be effective.
If you are somebody who has a smoking addiction and you are trying to quit it is essential that you stay away from establishments where smoking is allowed. In fact, you should go one step further and make sure that you don't go on holiday to countries where they allow smoking in public places because this could only weaken your resolve to stay smoke free.
Tens of thousands of people die from smoking every year and the only time to quit is right now. Take the bull by the horns and quit in 2012 no matter what it takes. If you do not quit in 2012 you will live to regret it at some point in your life.
