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of up to £2,500 - and those who persistently flout the law will face the ultimate sanction of having their licence withdrawn.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.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I don't know, can one expect anything different from a land where men wear skirts?

PUFF...

[EllaMinnow]

All of my Scottish relatives - and I have quite a few - smoke like chimneys. My uncle once told me that smoking is the national pastime of Scotland.

If other Scots are as tough as my uncles, who raised me on stories of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace and "Scotland the Brave," this won't go over well.

[uglybiker]

The smoke must taint th' flavour o' the Haggis!

[Stoat]

Photos from the Front Lines:  The Brave Sons of Scotland fight back against Government Oppression

[Uncle Vlad]

A nation that considers haggis its national dish wants to ban smoking. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense...

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Exhaling from a thick densely packed very strong cigar.

Last I heard this was not going to be enforced by the police.

Well this would make it difficult to enjoy fine scotch there.

[Gabz]

Tell it to the Marines............

[Republicus2001]

I bet you can smoke pot tho'

[Gabz]

I also read the police will not enforce it.

Some places have police enforcement, others don't.

[anymouse]

Great Scott! What were you thinking man?

[Bella_Bru]

My Scottish friends have told me the law is laughable and probably won't be enforced. It's a just a bone to throw to the anti-smoking crusaders.

[StoneColdGOP]

This sucks.

Totally makes me not want to spend a dime there.

[Stoat]

You may wish to read this article:

Scotland Police chiefs refuse to enforce smoking ban

"And yesterday, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) told The Scotsman that using beat officers to chase smokers would be an "ineffective" use of resources.

The warning opens the way for new teams of "smoking police" employed by local authorities or health boards, who will target pubs and clubs once a ban is imposed. "

In other words, instead of making this part of the purview of the regular Police, they will have a dedicated 'smoking police' who will do absolutely nothing else other than enforce this ban.  As a result, the actual enforcement will likely be dramatically greater than if the regular police had integrated this into their law enforcement duties.

[RockinRight]

Big brother at it again.

And the Europeans say WE don't care about personal freedoms???

[Gabz]

That's the way it is in many locales with smoking bans.

[stumpy]

Well, I've ruled out Ireland from my future pub crawl, guess I'll remove Scotland too. If it keeps up I'll be limited to "new Europe".

[Protagoras]

The headline is misleading. These are not "public" places. They are private property in many cases. I don't know if Scotland has ever been strong on property rights.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

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

Uh-oh, here come the health Nazis...

[sodpoodle]

Should treat smoke related health problems like HIV and AIDS related health problems!

How would that work............let me count the ways?