11 November 2004 - Smoking Ban in Enclosed Public Places for Scotland
Some workplaces have already removed the smoke rooms within their premises, requiring employees to "have a puff" outside, but this could perhaps pose potential fire hazards within the workplace as some smokers may feel the need to "light-up" in inappropriate areas and if cigarettes are not extinguished correctly, may cause fires. However, some businesses say they will provide counseling for the workforce, which in turn would provide benefits to their workforces health and benefits to companies by having a healthier workforce with perhaps less absenteeism through chest infections, asthma etc.
Anti smoking enforcers will be given the power to issue up to £100 fixed penalty fines to anyone found smoking in public places and up to £2,600 fine for employers, licensees, landlords etc. if they allow smoking within their premises.
The Scottish Executive have unanimously backed the decision to ban smoking in confined public places. None of their members are smokers.
Mr. Jack Mc Connell First Minister of the Scottish Parliament commented:
"The single biggest contribution that our devolved government and elected MSPs can make to improving public health in Scotland would be to reduce the toll of preventable, premature deaths from smoking. So, I am proud to announce to parliament today that we will, with your support, introduce a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
"A comprehensive ban will be a clear signal that Scotland has changed. It will reduce smoking, save lives and help transform our national health. It will be easier to enforce and simpler to understand than other options that would fall short of that."
Mr. Paul Waterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association commented:
"We will continue the fight. We are consulting with legal advisers and will pursue every avenue to ensure the interests of the licensed trade are upheld. We will advise our members to abide by the law, but there may well be publicans who defy this ban if they feel their businesses could go to the wall."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
