9 November 2006
Today the tobacco industry's front group, FOREST, has agreed that the smoking ban has been a success in Scotland and that most people support it.
Despite years of denying the scientific evidence about the dangers of second-hand smoke, FOREST have finally admitted that most Scots think the smoking ban was the right move after all.
In a poll conducted by Populus, 63% of Scots said they thought the current rules on smoking in public are about right. A further 11% wanted to see tougher action. Opposition to smoke-free public places in Scotland measured a meagre 24%.
Maureen Moore, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said,
"Going smoke-free has worked well in Scotland, so well in fact that even the tobacco industry can't deny it. After years of telling us that second-hand smoke wasn't harmful, that people in Scotland would rebel against going smoke-free and that our economy would be damaged by such laws, FOREST have been reduced to publishing opinion polls that only reinforces the fact that most Scots are in favour of smoke-free public places."
ENDS
For further information, please phone ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 or 07773351878
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