More smokers quitting in England since ban

LONDON, June 29 (UPI) -- The number of people giving up cigarettes in the the first nine months of the English ban on indoor smoking rose 22 percent over the previous year.

Experts say that shows the law has been a success in its double purpose -- protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke and convincing smokers to kick the habit, The Observer reported.

The National Health Service said 235,000 people used its services to quit between April and December last year, the British newspaper said.

"The significance of the smoke-free laws cannot be overestimated," Sir Liam Donaldson, the NHS chief medical officer, said in a forward to a report on smoking. "A significant reduction in second-hand smoke with its damaging health effects has been achieved. We expect many lives have been saved. Everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, healthier

environment."

The Office for National Statistics reported the number of people banning tobacco use in their homes also has gone up 6 percentage points to 67 percent since the law took effect.