A major survey has revealed overwhelming support for a ban on smoking in public places among small business owners.
The poll of 8,000 firms by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) found a massive 75 per cent of bosses of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) backed a public ban.
Sectorally, the hotel and catering industry had most opposition to a ban, 44 per cent.
Support for a ban was strongest in the transport sector with 88 per cent of employers backing the idea.
The FPB's chief executive, Nick Goulding, said the weight of support in favour of a ban reflected the tide of opinion turning against smoking.
"Small business owners are telling us loud and clear they want to protect their customers, their staff and themselves from smoke," he said.
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