McConnell ‘proud’ to announce smoking ban
Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell has confirmed that the Scottish Executive wants to introduce a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places.
It means that smoking in pubs, restaurants and clubs across Scotland should be outlawed by spring 2006.
Mr McConnell told MSPs: “I am proud to announce to Parliament today that we will with your support introduce a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.”
The executive is now expected to bring forward a public health bill within the next month, which is likely to be passed with little opposition.
Mr McConnell described Scotland as “one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe” and noted that smoking was the single largest cause of preventable death in the country.
He said: “I believe that there is no greater action we can take to improve the well-being of children and families in Scotland, for generations to come, than to secure this legislation and make Scotland’s public places smoke free.”
The announcement was widely welcomed by the medical community in Scotland. Dr Peter Terry, chairman of BMA Scotland said: “Science and sense have prevailed and we now wait for the legislation that will reduce the risk to health caused by exposure to tobacco smoke and will make significant inroads in improving the health of the nation.”
Mr McConnell said a ban would have a net benefit for the economy and played down fears that a ban would severely damage the pub trade.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association, which represents pubs and clubs, says a ban would damage the trade, and is prepared to fight it in court.
Paul Waterson, chief executive of The Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: “We will continue the fight. We are consulting with legal advisers and we will pursue every avenue to ensure that the interests of the licensed trade are upheld.
“We are now entering a crazy scenario whereby if you smoke illegal drugs such as marijuana in the street you will be given a warning but if you smoke a cigarette in a pub, you could face a £2,500 fine. It’s nonsensical. The other fines imposed for offences such as criminal damage are much lower -in the region of £250 – and the whole legislation seems illogical and badly thought through.”
Scottish Ministers were impressed with the success of bans on smoking in public places in Ireland and New York. Mr McConnell said they had helped smokers to give up more quickly and smoke less.
Later this month the Department of Health will set out the way it plans to take this issue forward in England and Wales through its white paper on public health.
Today’s decision will put pressure on the DoH to follow Scotland’s lead.
In October Liverpool City Council became the first council to vote in favour of a ban on smoking in public places. It wants the Government to bring forward legislation allowing it to implement a ban within the next year.
