Smoking ban takes puff out of deadly habit

A YEAR of smoking bans in Victorian bars and clubs has seen droves of smokers turning their backs on the deadly habit.

With the first anniversary of the smoking bans tomorrow, research shows four out of 10 recent quitters did so because they could no longer light up in licensed venues.

A Cancer Council Victoria audit of the bans shows they are having the greatest impact on young smokers, with 45 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds cutting back on smoking since July 1 last year.

Overall, a third of smokers have reduced the number they smoke after the bans.