28 May 2006
Today the Scotland on Sunday newspaper carries a poll of the most powerful people in Scotland. Maureen Moore, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, is ranked number two.
Maureen Moore said,
"I'm delighted, if a little surprised, to discover that the Scotland on Sunday has decided I am the second most powerful person in Scotland. The legislation to make Scotland smoke-free in enclosed public places has been a huge step forward for public health in Scotland, and ASH Scotland played the leading role in that campaign right from the start. It needs to be recognised however that the success of the smoking ban is down to the support of a large number of people from right across Scotland.
Almost 60 000 people took part in the public consultation on smoking in public. 84% of them called for action on second-hand smoke. The massive response from ordinary Scots played a huge role in persuading the politicians that such a radical policy would work. ASH Scotland was supported by other voluntary organisations from across Scotland as well. Their support demonstrated a very persuasive united front. Everyone with a concern for the health of Scotland was united against the dangers of second-hand smoke, which helped reinforce the message that Scotland needed smoke-free public places.
Politicians from many different parties supported making Scotland smoke-free. In particular Stewart Maxwell, Tom McCabe, Andy Kerr and Jack McConnell were all central to supporting going smoke-free and making sure an effective piece of legislation was passed by Parliament and enforced across the country.
I would also like to pay tribute to the staff at ASH Scotland. We are a small organisation, our resources are dwarfed by those of the tobacco industry, but the staff here have worked very hard to end smoking in Scotland's public places. I'm not sure if I am the second most powerful person in Scotland, but I do feel very privileged to have headed up one of the most effective campaigns for public health in Scotland."
ENDS
For more information please contact Maureen Moore on 07773 351878
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