This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Majority of Scots back Smoking Bill
27/06/2005
The majority of Scots support the Executive's policy to
ban smoking in enclosed public spaces, including pubs,
clubs and restaurants, according to a new poll released
today.
MRUK found 56 per cent of those surveyed are in favour
of the measure, with many also believing it will create
cleaner and safer environments and many smokers believing
it will help them cut down or quit altogether.
The
Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill will go
to a vote in Parliament this week.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"I am very pleased to see so many Scots are in favour of
what we're doing.
"This Bill is the most important piece of public health
legislation in a generation and widespread understanding is
vital.
"Other results are also very encouraging. There is
increasing awareness of the dangers of passive smoking and
considerable support for action to be taken to reduce
exposure.
"32 per cent of smokers believe that the Bill will help
them cut down or quit altogether and others are hoping for
more enjoyable nights out without the ill effects of
second-hand smoke.
"This week sees the final stage of the Bill in the
Scottish Parliament, when I hope that MSPs will give it
their overwhelming approval, in line with their support to
date.
"The very high level of public awareness of the proposed
law will also help to ensure high levels of compliance when
introduced.
"This survey shows that I'm not the only one looking
forward to a historic day, not just for devolution - but
for Scotland as a whole."
The main findings of the survey are:
- Overall, there was high awareness of the proposed
legislation that would make enclosed public places
smoke free (90 per cent).
- 83 per cent of respondents perceived that passive
smoking and second-hand smoke posed either an extremely
great health risk (31 per cent), a great risk (31 per
cent) or a medium health risk (21 per cent).
- The majority of the sample agreed with the
statement that action should be taken to reduce
people's exposure to passive smoking and second hand
smoke (74 per cent agreement).
- Over half of all respondents (56 per cent)
supported the proposed legislation, primarily on the
grounds that smoking is detrimental to health and that
people disliked it. A third did not support the
proposed legislation (33 per cent).
- Opinions regarding the perceived impact of the
proposed legislation were mixed. Amongst a variety of
consequences mentioned there was a slightly stronger
perception that it will help to provide cleaner and
safer environments for all and to a lesser extent that
it will help to make socialising more enjoyable.
- Over half of current smokers in the sample felt
that the proposed legislation would have no effect on
the amount they smoke (57 per cent). However, 26 per
cent felt it would help them to reduce the amount they
smoke and 6 per cent felt it would help them to stop
altogether.