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In the Czech Republic, 14 percent of people smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, compared to the EU's 26 percent. The number of light smokers...

Brussels, May 22 (CTK) - Czechs are the fiercest opponents to the ban on smoking in restaurants and night clubs among all EU nations, according to a fresh Eurobarometer poll released today.

Europeans more and more incline to favour a smoking ban at workplaces and public sites such as rail stations and shops, but they are rather split on compulsory non-smoking restaurants and night clubs, the poll showed.

A ban on smoking in restaurants and night clubs is most favoured in the countries that have already applied it - in Ireland, Sweden in Italy, where it was supported by four in five respondents.

In the Czech Republic, it was supported by only 42 percent of those polled.

The poll showed that the Czechs consume fewer cigarettes than the EU average.

In the Czech Republic, 14 percent of people smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, compared to the EU's 26 percent.

The number of light smokers, who smoke maximally nine cigarettes a day, has increased in the Czech Republic since 2005 at the cost of chain smokers.

The Czech respondents presented themselves as considerate smokers. Only 15 percent of Czech smokers lit a cigarette in a car they share with a non-smoker. This is less than the EU average.

Only 5 percent of Czech smokers smoke in a car in the presence of children, compared to more than 15 percent in Malta and Denmark.

There are over 25 percent of smokers among the Czech inhabitants over 18 and even a half among young Czechs between 15 and 18.

About 18,000 Czech annually die of diseases linked to smoking.