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Smoking in Public Places
A Consultation on Reducing Exposure to Second Hand Smoke
Key Findings of Responses to a Public Consultation
APPENDIX ONE - THE CONSULTATION PAPER
SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
Health risks of passive smoking
Passive smoking means breathing in other people's tobacco smoke. The health risks of exposure to secondhand
smoke or 'environmental tobacco smoke' (ETS), as it is also known, are clear.
Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and, in those with long-term exposure, the increased risk is 20-30%.
Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of heart disease, and represents a substantial public health hazard.
Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause asthma in children, and may increase the severity of the condition in children already affected.
In addition to the long-term effects, recent research suggests that second-hand smoke may trigger heart attacks in some people after only short periods of exposure. Although the level of risk is not yet known, it has been advised that people at risk of coronary heart disease and those with known coronary artery disease should, where possible, avoid indoor smoky environments.
In the workplace
Employers have a duty under section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
The introduction of smoking policies that restrict or ban smoking in the workplace can result in a reduction in the short-term effects of passive smoking and improve the quality of the working
environment for all staff. Smoking policies that ban smoking in the workplace have also been shown to encourage smokers to give up smoking.
Ventilation systems have been suggested as a means of reducing exposure to second-hand smoke in workplaces and leisure facilities, but research suggests that the air-flows possible with current ventilation systems are not sufficient to eliminate the health risks associated with second-hand smoke.
Existing policy on smoking in public places
The Scottish Executive currently works in partnership with business interests to encourage smoke-free environments in enclosed public places in Scotland on a voluntary basis. This has resulted in an increasing number of businesses adopting smoking policies which prohibit smoking or which provide separate smoking areas. However, despite progress, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 pubs still allow smoking throughout.
Options available to the Executive to further reduce exposure to second-hand smoke
continue to work with businesses on a voluntary basis to accelerate smoke-free provision;
introduce a blanket ban on smoking in enclosed public places Scotland-wide, or targeted at specific places, such as where food is being served or children have access;
giving powers to Local Authorities to regulate smoking in public places in their areas; or
a combination of targeted statutory controls and voluntary action.
Policy in other countries
A number of other countries have introduced, or are about to introduce, controls in smoking in public places.
These include the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, and several USA, Canadian and Australian states and cities.
A CONSULTATION ON REDUCING EXPOSURE TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE
Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death and ill health in Scotland, now estimated to claim over 19,000 lives each year and costing the NHS in Scotland an estimated 200 million on hospital treatment annually.
In January 2004 the Scottish Executive published the first ever action plan on tobacco control specifically for Scotland. This plan,
A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland, sets out proposals for reducing tobacco-related harm. The plan indicated the need for more public education on the health risks involved with
second-hand smoke, also known as '
passive smoking' or '
environmental tobacco smoke'; firm action to extend smoke-free zones in enclosed public places; and the need for an open public debate on the dangers involved in passive smoking and how to reduce exposure.
This consultation is being undertaken as part of wider evidence gathering to inform the Executive's future policy on smoke-free provision. Every one of us is affected by second-hand smoke and we will be encouraging debate and responses from the general public and interested parties across Scotland in a number of ways.
We would like to hear what you think about smoking in public places and possible approaches which might be taken to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke. In order to help you understand the issues around secondhand smoke, some key information is highlighted opposite. Further information about passive smoking can be found at
www.healthscotland.com
Consultation responses
We are inviting responses to this consultation by
30 September 2004. Simply complete the attached response form, tear off, fold and moisten as directed, and return to the address shown.
No envelope or stamp is required. If you have any queries, please contact the smoking consultation team on
0131 244 3344.
If you wish to access or respond to this consultation online, go to
www.scotland.gov.uk/smokingconsultation
You can also submit your response by e-mail to
smokingconsultation@scotland.gsi.gov.uk using 'Consultation Response' as the subject of your e-mail. You can telephone Freephone 0800 77 1234 to find out where your
nearest public internet access point is.
The Scottish Executive Consultation Process
Full details of the Scottish Executive Consultation Process can be accessed at
www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations
Access to consultation responses
We will make all responses available to the public in the Scottish Executive Library by Thursday 28 October and on the Scottish Executive consultation web pages by Thursday 4 November, unless confidentiality is requested. All responses not marked confidential will be checked for any potentially defamatory material before being logged in the library or placed on the website.
DEFINITIONS:
Passive smoking
Passive smoking means breathing in other people's tobacco smoke.
Second-hand smoke/Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
Other people's tobacco smoke, either from the burning tip of the cigarette or the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker.
Public place
Any enclosed or semi-enclosed area that members of the public have access to that provides a business or service. It includes workplaces, buildings and transport.
Enclosed public place
A single space completely enclosed on all sides of any opening.
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