Commenting on the introduction of England’s legislation to ban smoking in public places which came into force on 1st July 2007 - the final country within the UK to introduce such a ban - ASH Scotland Chief Executive, Maureen Moore OBE said:
“Scotland led the way in the UK in introducing legislation to become smoke-free and we are delighted to see England now joining us, along with Wales, and Northern Ireland who have also recently introduced a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. Public places in the UK are now smoke-free and everyone who lives in and visits the UK is able to enjoy protection from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
“Scotland has been enjoying the health benefits of being smoke-free for 15 months now and it won’t be long before England starts to enjoy the same positive advantages of having smoke-free public places. In Scotland, air quality in bars is nearly that of outdoor air with an 86% reduction in second hand smoke and research has shown improvements in the health of those who previously worked in smoky atmospheres. Compliance has also been hugely successful, always staying above 95%, which I am sure will be the same in England, where polls have shown there is strong public support for the ban.
“The World Health Organisation, has called for a ban on smoking in all workplaces to help prevent the 325 million deaths worldwide from tobacco use. The whole of the UK is now helping to do just that.”
ENDS
For further information please contact: Jeanette Campbell, Communications Officer Tel: 0131 220 9466 Mobile: 0777 6142299
Notes for Editors
ASH Scotland is the leading voluntary organisation campaigning for effective tobacco control measures.
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