This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
National No Smoking Day
08/03/2006
Today is the last National No Smoking Day before Scotland's smoking ban is introduced later this month.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"There has never been a better time to stop smoking. From 26 March 2006 Scotland will be smoke-free. As well as protecting people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke this far-reaching and ambitious step will help many people to give up smoking. Evidence from Ireland and New York proves this.
"I know how difficult it is to stop smoking but it is the best decision a smoker can make. Stopping smoking is not only good for the health of the individual but Scotland as a whole. That is why we are investing record levels of funding - £11 million by 2007/8- in services to support people who want to give up. Improved services in communities across Scotland - combined with the introduction of the ban - make 2006 the best year yet to give up.
"A smoke-free Scotland will have a healthier future. A future where Scots live longer, families stay together longer and our young people are fitter and better prepared to make the most of their ambitions.
"It is a future that we can all look forward to and Scotland should be proud that it's leading the way in the UK."
The latest results of the MRUK omnibus survey on attitudes to smoking in public places and levels of support for smoke-free legislation show:
- Support for the smoke-free legislation has been maintained (61 per cent)
- Continued high levels of awareness of the new law (92 per cent)
- Over a quarter of smokers continue to support the law (26 per cent)
- Awareness of the risks of passive smoking has risen from 83 per cent in May to 89 per cent in January. There was also an increased perception specifically among smokers, from 64 per cent in May to 80 per cent in January
- 14 per cent of smokers say the ban will help them to quit smoking (same figure as August poll, double the November poll (7 per cent)
- The percentage of those who do not allow smoking anywhere in the home remains consistent at 47 per cent (41 per cent in May, 46 per cent in August, 42 per cent in November)
Mr Kerr said:
"I am pleased these figures continue to show strong levels of support for the new legislation and a strong awareness of the changes the legislation will bring.
"I am also pleased that the figures show that 14 per cent of people surveyed think the ban will help them to quit. That figure would see over 150,000 stopping smoking which would be a great starting point for improving Scotland's health.
"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."