There was a significant drop in those smoking 20 cigarettes a day or more following the ban on smoking in public places in England, a survey has found. However, there was no change in the overall number who smoked. The authors carried out a postal survey of 3,500 people in Bury, Lancashire before, and three months after, the smoking ban came into force in 2007. Participants were randomly selected using the PCT database. 'Although primarily designed to reduce the health risks associated with second-hand smoke, it was also hoped that the 2007 legislation might motivate smokers to give up. It may disappoint GPs that the smoking ban did not bring about a significant reduction in the prevalence of smoking. However, it is encouraging that the number of heavy smokers fell.'