A new survey shows landlords want smokers to kick the habit.

According to the findings, 38% of landlords would not allow tenants to smoke in their properties. Only 7% of landlords would give their properties to a smoker.

Landlords dislike smoking because it raises the risk of fire, and could cause irreparable damage to furniture.

It’s also harder for smokers to find roommates. The survey showed that 4 out of 5 tenants would not accept a smoking roommate. Smokers who kick the habit already face the prospect of better health – this could give them even more motivation.

Jonathan Moore, director of the property website that conducted the study, said: “There has been a strong shift in attitudes towards smoking, and the tolerance levels of smokers since the smoking ban. Smoker-friendly accommodation has been squeezed as a result.”

The smoking ban came into place in Scotland in 2006, before coming into effect in England and Wales by 2007. By 2008, the Independent was reporting that two billion fewer cigarettes were smoked. The ban was said to have made 400,000 kick the habit. Researchers said the shift would prevent 40,000 deaths over the following 10 years.

Recently there has been dispute over a possible extension to the smoking ban. Last year, the Labour government put forward a new 2009 Health Act, which included plans to extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas, such as parks, beaches and in front of buildings. Smoking in cars would also have been prohibited. But this year, new health minister Anne Milton announced that smoke free zones in front of buildings would be axed. Health campaigners are now concerned that other aspects of the Health Act will not be enforced. A spokesman for the British Medical Association told the Daily Mail: “The BMA is extremely concerned that the Government will not implement the 2009 Health Act.”

Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death in the UK. If you would like to kick the habit, speak to a trained medical professional.