We are about to hit the festive season, but it is also a time when many
people reflect on the past year and make plans for the next – including
thinking about giving up smoking. In this issue we reflect on the impact of
the smoking ban in the UK. Hilary Wareing and Nina Gotz from the Tobacco
Control Collaborating Centre show how there have been significant benefits
in terms of air quality and increased numbers of quitters since the
smokefree legislation came into force between March 2006 and July 2007.
This has been a significant step forward in improving public health, and
provides a foundation to encourage more of your patients to quit.