This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Smoke free guidance for hospitals and other areas
21/12/2005
New guidance for the development of smoke-free policies to protect NHS, local authority and care workers and those who use their services was announced today.
It is designed to help those organisations comply with Scotland's smoking ban coming in to effect in March next year, providing practical advice in hospitals and other settings.
It includes advice on domiciliary visits and outlines a number of actions which can be taken to prevent or minimise staff exposure to second-hand smoke in these circumstances.
Health Minister Andy Kerr Kerr said:
"Reducing smoking and tobacco related harm is one of the main drivers to improve Scotland's health.
"Passive smoking kills. The evidence is now irrefutable. The smoke-free legislation will significantly reduce exposure to second-hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in the majority of enclosed public places.
"Those in the public services and in the caring professions have a vested interest in the smooth implementation of the smoke-free legislation and in making the law work.
But more than that, we have a clear obligation to provide leadership and standards for others to follow. The guidance sets out how we might strive to achieve these standards, while at the same time recognising the challenges we face in doing so.
"We have made it clear that residential accommodation is exempt from the legislation. For it to be otherwise would be an infringement of human rights. But we recognise there are instances where people will have to visit a residential property to do their job - and this guidance will help ensure that workers are exposed to passive smoke as little as possible."
The Minister also announced the latest results of the MRUK omnibus survey on attitudes to smoking in public places and levels of support for the smoke-free legislation. He said:
"I am pleased these figures continue to show strong levels of support for the new legislation. It is also pleasing that 92 per cent of people surveyed were aware of the changes the legislation will bring.
"However, most importantly these figures show that more and more people are realising that passive smoking is not just a nuisance - it is a killer. And that is why this legislation is so important for the people of Scotland and the future health of our nation."
Eric Jackson, CoSLA's Spokesperson for Social Work and Health Improvement, said:
"The support for the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 from the Scottish Parliament and CoSLA is testament to the determination of politicians at both national and local level to reduce the toll that smoking takes on our society.
"We must all work together in our local communities to maximise the benefits which this opportunity brings."
Maureen Moore, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said:
"Everyone deserves protection from the dangers of second-hand smoke, no matter where they work, regardless of what they do. I am delighted that these new guidelines, which ASH Scotland helped draw up, will help protect employees and service users from second-hand smoke.
"March 26 offers an excellent opportunity for better health in Scotland, and it's very important that no-one is left behind. These new guidelines will go a long way to ensuring everyone benefits from going smoke-free in Scotland."
In the MRUK November omnibus survey the main findings were:
- Support for the smoke-free legislation has been maintained at 58 per cent, in line with the August survey
- Continued high levels of awareness of the new law (92 per cent)
- Over a quarter of smokers continue to support the law (27 per cent)
- Awareness of the risks of passive smoking has increased from 83 per cent in May to 90 per cent in November. There was also an increased perception specifically among smokers, from 64 per cent in May to 82 per cent in November
- 7 per cent of smokers say the ban will help them to quit smoking
- The percentage of those who do not allow smoking anywhere in the home remains consistent at 42 per cent (41 per cent in May, 46 per cent in August)