26 March 2008
To celebrate the second anniversary of the ban on smoking in public places [Wednesday 26 March 08], ASH Scotland has today released polling data showing that the great majority of Scots not only strongly support the ban, but also want more action to be taken to end the harm caused by tobacco.
Commenting on the polling results, ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:
“81% of Scots say they support the smoking ban, and 84% agree that pubs, bars and restaurants are a more pleasant place to be since they went smokefree. 28% of people say they visit pubs and bars more often now than they did before the ban. Two years on, it is clear that the legislation has been a great success. Scotland has helped to blaze a trail for public health, ahead of smokefree laws south of the border and in other parts of Europe.
“However the next big challenge is to stop a new generation getting hooked on tobacco. Government figures show that every year, 15,000 13-24 year olds start smoking in Scotland. 82% of 15-year old smokers and 47% of 13-year old smokers report buying their cigarettes from shops . But in 2005-06, only 2 retailers were fined for selling cigarettes to children. The fines were both less than £200 .
“ASH Scotland is calling on the government to take the next big step to improve the health of our young people. We want to see a positive licensing scheme, where retailers who sell tobacco products must apply for a straightforward licence. Any retailers found selling cigarettes to children could have their licence suspended.
“Our polling shows that 89% of Scots would support this measure. It would be much more effective, and less bureaucratic, than the under-used current system of prosecution and fines for retailers who break the law.
“A nation can be judged by the health of its children. With this step, we could take real action to tackle the sale of cigarettes to children. Today I am challenging the Scottish Government to once again show us that it is leading the way to promote public health in the UK.”
Sheila Duffy is available for interview.
ENDS
For further information please contact Philippa Bonella on 0131 220 9468.
Notes for editors
1. ASH Scotland is the leading Scottish charity campaigning for effective measures to protect people from the harmful effects of tobacco.
2. All polling figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,100 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th - 22nd February 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).
How strongly if at all do you support or oppose this law to make all enclosed public places and workplaces smokefree?
|
|
% |
|
Strongly support |
66 |
|
Tend to support |
15 |
|
Neither support nor oppose |
7 |
|
Tend to oppose |
6 |
|
Strongly oppose |
6 |
|
Don’t know |
0 |
How strongly, if at all, do you agree with the following statement...?
Pubs, bars and restaurants are a more pleasant place to be since they went smokefree'
|
% |
|
|
Strongly agree |
66 |
|
Agree |
18 |
|
Neither agree nor disagree |
8 |
|
Disagree |
4 |
|
Strongly disagree |
3 |
|
Don’t know |
2 |
Since the smokefree law came in do you visit (i.e. go inside) pubs and bars...?
|
|
% |
|
A lot more often nowadays than you did before |
12 |
|
A little more often nowadays than you did before |
16 |
|
As often nowadays as you did before |
54 |
|
A little less often nowadays than you did before |
8 |
|
A lot less often nowadays than you did before |
8 |
|
Don’t know |
1 |
How strongly, if at all, would you support or oppose the following measure...?
Requiring businesses to have a valid licence to sell tobacco, which can be removed if they are caught selling to underage smokers
|
|
% |
|
Strongly support |
65 |
|
Tend to support |
24 |
|
Neither support nor oppose |
7 |
|
Tend to oppose |
2 |
|
Strongly oppose |
2 |
|
Don’t know |
1 |