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ASH Scotland delighted as research shows positive benefits of Scotland’s smoke-free success

10 September 2007

ASH Scotland Chief Executive Maureen Moore OBE today [Monday] welcomed the publication of a comprehensive programme of research into the impact of Scotland’s ban on smoking in public places and said it showed the ban has had a positive effect on Scotland’s health, society, and quality of air. The research is being published and presented at a major conference, Towards a Smokefree Society, in Edinburgh today and tomorrow. Commenting Maureen Moore said:

“I am delighted that the research that has been carried out since Scotland became smoke-free in 2006 is showing such a highly positive impact on Scotland’s health. The ban on smoking in public places provides everyone in Scotland with effective protection from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and was a courageous move taken by the Scottish Parliament.

“That decision has now been shown to be paying dividends for everyone living in Scotland. A 17% fall in admissions for heart attacks is just fantastic and considering Scotland’s health record on heart disease, is something to be very proud of. The research also shows a 39% reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in both children and adults and an 86% reduction in second-hand smoke in bars which shows that the public, including our future generations, are benefiting from the ban and having their health protected. This will have advantages for years to come.

“The research that will be published at the international conference to be held today and tomorrow also shows that there is an increase in the proportion of homes with smoking restrictions which is in line with international evidence from other areas where smoking in workplaces or public places has been banned. The awareness of the dangers of tobacco increased with the debate surrounding Scotland becoming smoke-free so more and more people are ensuring that those in their home are also not being exposed to carcinogenic smoke.

“I look forward to international delegates learning from the Scottish experience of becoming smoke-free and hope it shows other states and countries the benefits of legislation and protecting people from the harmful effects of smoking which remains the number one preventable killer in the world.”

As part of a wider discussion on supporting smoke-free legislation and activity at the Towards a Smokefree Society conference, Maureen Moore OBE, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland delivered a presentation on ‘Smoke-Free Success: ASH Scotland’s role in building support for national smoke-free legislation’ which discussed the campaign for legislation to ban smoking in public places up to and beyond legislation being passed by the Scottish Parliament.

ENDS

For further information please contact Jeanette Campbell, 0131 220 9466 / 0777 6142299

Notes to editors:

1. ASH Scotland is the leading voluntary organisation campaigning for effective tobacco control measures.
2. An international conference highlighting the impact of Scotland’s smoking ban was held in Edinburgh on September 10 and 11. The two-day conference at the EICC, organised by the Scottish Government and Health Scotland, attracted delegates from across the world.
3. The research is part of a national evaluation of the impact of Scotland’s smoke-free legislation after it came into force and has been published by the Scottish Government. The evaluation shows:
   - a 17 per cent reduction in heart attack admissions to nine Scottish hospitals. This compares with an annual reduction in Scottish admissions for heart attack of 3 per cent per year in the decade before the ban
   - a 39 per cent reduction in second hand smoke exposure in 11-year-olds and in adult non-smokers
   - an 86 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke in bars
   - an  increase in the proportion of homes with smoking restrictions
   - no evidence of smoking shifting from public places into the home
   - high public support for the legislation even among smokers, whose support increased once the legislation was in place.

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ASH Scotland is a registered Scottish charity (SC 010412) and a company limited by guarantee (Scottish company no 141711).
The registered office is 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HB