THE people have spoken - and they want a ban on smoking in public places.

The Echo can today exclusively reveal that three in every four people surveyed in Poole want to see smoking outlawed in public places, such as shops, bars and restaurants.

It sends an unambiguous message to the town's decision-makers that it is time for change.

And within the coming months the council may join the city of Liverpool in seeking parliamentary permission to impose a ban.

The town has pioneered consultation and research and is likely to form a model for other authorities to follow.

The results are due to be released today but we can reveal an overwhelming majority of those consulted wanted smoking banned in enclosed public places.

Hospitals, health clinics and schools topped the list, with around 88 per cent strongly agreeing that smoking should not be allowed there.

Concert halls, cinemas, theatres, sports centres, fast food outlets, shopping centres, cafes and workplaces were not far behind.

Around 80 per cent wanted smoking banned in restaurants and for pubs the figure was 57 per cent. There was least call for a ban at nightclubs, betting shops and greyhound tracks.

A working party collated information from surveys, questionnaires, focus groups and other sources after a debate was sparked by Cllr Peter Adams and Cllr David Gillard last year.

Cllr Adams, chairman of the working party, feels the results justify the efforts made by the council and its partners in the project, including Poole Primary Care Trust and Bournemouth University.

"I think everyone wants to see something to get rid of the smoking problem among young people," he said.

Dr Adrian Dawson of Poole PCT believes a smoking ban in public places could help four per cent of smokers who want to quit actually give up.

The information will now go to a sub-committee. If it is passed on, with agreement, to cabinet and full council, a bylaw banning smoking in enclosed public places could then be pursued in parliament.

See the Echo on Wednesday (Oct 27) for a full feature on the survey.

First published: October 26