SCOTLAND BANS SMOKING (Nationwide ban in all enclosed public places)

Sky News ^ | November 10, 2004

[Stoat]

Ministers have agreed an outright ban

	VIDEO: Decision Due

SCOTLAND BANS SMOKING

Smoking in enclosed public places will be banned in Scotland under legislation to be launched before Christmas, the First Minister said today.   

Jack McConnell told the Scottish Parliament the legislation would have a target date of spring 2006 for full implementation.

Licensees or employers who fail to enforce the law in their premises will face fines of up to £2,500 - and those who persistently flout the law will face the ultimate sanction of having their licence withdrawn. 

However, the proposals face a rough ride. Publicans have vowed to "fight tooth and nail" against it, backed by polls which show the vast majority of Scots do not favour a total ban. 

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association warns that the move could trigger job losses.

Individuals who smoke in enclosed public areas will face fixed penalty notices with a maximum fine of up to £1,000 for persistent offenders.

Environmental health and local licensing standards officers will be responsible for enforcement.

Private clubs will not be exempt from the ban.

The decision to go for a ban was taken by Scottish ministers at a Cabinet meeting  but was not disclosed until Mr McConnell's statement to MSPs.

He told Parliament that poor diet, excessive drinking, lack of exercise and drug abuse all made Scotland one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe.

"Too many people smoke, and too many people die or fall ill from cancer, stroke and heart disease," he said.

"The single largest cause of preventable premature death in Scotland is smoking."

He detailed the consultation process that the Executive launched on ways to curb the toll of 13,000 smoking-related deaths a year.

[Stoat]

Readers of this article may also be interested in these Free Republic threads:

Scotland Police chiefs refuse to enforce smoking ban

Scotland McConnell plans get out on total smoke ban (Sweeping zero-tolerance anti-smoking plan)

[blakep]

Laura Miller, a politician here in Dallas banned smoking in Dallas because she was tired of smelling smoke in resteraunts, and our economy in the areas where smoking was banned plummeted because the smokers went elsewhere.

Politicians need to think about the negatives in regards to implementing laws such as these. Ridiculous.

[lilylangtree]

Scotland's tobacco companies stock, if they have any, will plummit.

[annyokie]

Puff ping!

[Da_Shrimp]

If it's going to happen in Scotland, I doubt England will be far behind.

I don't smoke myself, but people who want to should be able to in dedicated areas of a pub!

[Grit]

"Smoking in enclosed public places will be banned in Scotland"

"Private clubs will not be exempt from the ban."


It seems that in Scotland Private clubs are public places. This is double plus ungood.

[Fiddlstix]

Ping

[Gabz]

What part of private property do these people not understand?

[Sans-Culotte]

Private clubs will not be exempt from the ban.

Obviously, this is not even about protecting the air for non-smokers. They are simply trying to force everyone to quit.

[Gabz]

Thanks for the heads up!!!!!

[Gabz]

.....and our economy in the areas where smoking was banned plummeted because the smokers went elsewhere.

Don't you know that is just tobacco industry propaganda?? I mean, everyone knows that non-smokers will flock to places without smoking and business will BOOM...........afetr all that want the ban-addicts keep telling us, and they would nevr lie, would they? (/sarcasm)

[Gabz]

That is the disconnect that never ceases to amaze me.

[annyokie]

You're welcome!

[Gabz]

Thanks, FRiend!!!!

[Gabz]

The good news is that it looks like those impacted by it are going to fight back........unlike in other places. I wish them luck.

[Fiddlstix]

You're welcome

[evets]

If it's not Scottish...

[Polyxene]

Quick, somebody page Arlen Specter!! Scottish Law, Scottish Law!!!

[Pompah]

Having visited any number of smoke-filled Scottish Pub's this past September (From Thurso to Edinbugh) I can tell you that Mr. Jack McConnell is in for one hell of a fight
with his crusade to make the lives of stubborn Scot's better . .. For thier own good of course.