Smokin Ban

1. Why is there a need to ban smoking in public places?

A. Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death and ill health in Scotland, claiming 13,000 lives each year, around one in four deaths overall.

The Executive is tackling the harmful effects of tobacco through public education and increased cessation services. However, more needs to be done.

The health risks associated with second-hand smoke are clear and unequivocal. Second hand smoke is associated with 865 deaths per year in Scotland among life-long non-smokers from the main causes of death - lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions and stroke.

Taking into account other diseases known to be related to smoking, and including former smokers who have now quit, estimates reach some 1,500 to 2000 deaths per year in Scotland.

Equally as important, research suggests that bans in public places are associated with reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked, and reductions in smoking prevalence. The aim is to de-normalise smoking within society and build a new, healthier Scotland.

2. What will be the impact of banning smoking in public places?

A. For lung cancer and heart disease alone the estimated effect of eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke in public places in Scotland is a reduction of 219 deaths per year.

Additional reductions in deaths from stroke and respiratory disease is 187 - a total of 406 deaths per annum. It will take between 15 - 30 years before these savings are realised, so the sooner exposure is restricted or removed, the better.

3. Why does the Government not ban smoking completely if it is serious about the nation's health?

That would be impracticable. There is no question of forcing people to stop smoking. Of course, it would be desirable for more people to choose to stop smoking - or not to start. However this is a matter for persuasion not coercion.

Everyone has rights and freedoms and smokers have a right to smoke. Likewise, however, non-smokers have a right to be protected against the negative impact of smoking.

4. Is a smoking ban not an infringement of personal choice?

It must be remembered that 70 per cent, or 7 out of 10 people choose not to smoke. While it is not intended to curb smokers personal choice to smoke it is intended to take account of the choice of many Scots to have clean smoke-free air.

The majority of people have a right to choose to work, socialise and eat in a smoke free environment. It is not only a preference to avoid the discomfort and smell of tobacco smoke but also the potential impact on their health.

In addition, evidence shows that restrictions on smoking would help reduce the number of active smokers as well as passive smokers.

5. Why include pubs in the legislation?

Pubs, bars and restaurants are areas where there are particular risks of heavy exposure to second-hand smoke. If the Executive is serious about protecting public health, it is necessary to include them in the legislation.

International research shows that consumers, including smokers:

• quickly accept smoke-free as the norm

• that smokers can and do adjust

• that smoke-free areas discourage smoking uptake

• that it does not drive smoking into the home

• that there are no documented long-term adverse economic effects - except on the tobacco industry

6. Is a voluntary approach not preferable?

The work which the licensed trade associations have done to improve smoke-free provision is acknowledged but it is simply not enough. 7 out of 10 pubs still allow smoking throughout.

Knowing what is now known about the dangers of passive smoking, dependence on voluntary action to protect public health cannot continue. The licensed trade associations acknowledge this.

7. Won't some pubs be forced to go out of business?

The concerns of some businesses,