Crime experts have seen an upside to the smoking ban, which everyone except health nuts have at some point or other, complained about. According to the crime reduction manager for Gedling Borough Council in Nottinghamshire, car crime has seen a massive 80% drop since the smoking ban was introduced in 2007. The reason for this should be obvious – with smokers nipping out for a quickie every hour (or half hour, or ten minutes) or so, thieves don’t get much chance to steal or vandalise cars as there’s a good chance someone will always be watching. So, at least one good thing came from the smoking ban!