The law banning smoking in bars and restaurants has encouraged smokers to quit, according to a new study. The research, just published in the international journal Tobacco Control, found calls to Quitline increased by 44% after the smokefree law came into force last December. Lead researcher Dr Nick Wilson, from the University of Otago, says the study found nearly 4000 people called Quitline (Dec 2004 to Jan 2005) compared to about 2800 callers in the same period a year before. Distribution of subsidised nicotine replacement therapy through Quitline almost doubled after bars and restaurants went smokefree, Dr Wilson says. "This research supports all the overseas evidence that smoking bans encourage smokers to quit." He says the main aim of the new law is to prevent deaths and illness caused by second-hand smoke so the increased interest in quitting is an additional bonus. The Quit Group's Research Manager Michele Grigg says the research is interesting because there was very little advertising of the Quitline when the legislation came into force. However, Ms Grigg believes the widespread media publicity about the new laws could have encouraged people to quit. (Tobacco Control Research Strategy)

Quitting smoking