This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Growing support for smoke free public places
07/07/2005
Support for smoke free public places has been increasing
throughout Great Britain since 1996, according to a new
report published today.
The Office of National Statistics Omnibus Survey found
that the proportion of people across the UK favouring a
total ban on smoking in pubs has increased from 20 per cent
in 2003 to 31 per cent. Overall, 65 per cent of those
surveyed supported restrictions in pubs.
The UK figures reflect similar increases in Scotland,
where support for smoke-free public places is already
running at 56 per cent.
Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"I am very pleased to see so many people across Great
Britain are in favour of smoke free public places,
including pubs, where the risks of exposure are
particularly high.
"Recent research by MRUK found that in Scotland already
56 per cent of people support the Executive's policy to ban
smoking in enclosed public spaces. It is clear that this
sentiment is increasingly echoed throughout the UK.
"Research from other parts of the world suggests that
support increases in the lead up to and following
implementation of legislation, when people experience the
benefits of smoke-free environments.
"Here in Scotland we have taken giant steps to tackle
smoking and shed the sick man of Europe tag. Just last week
the Scottish parliament passed legislation which will
change the health of a generation. We are now in a position
where Scotland is leading the UK in terms of public health
legislation."