<< Link between alcohol abuse and dependence with medical conditions in two American Indian reservation communities | It's 2006 and two hundred children are crippled by polio in Somalia >>

Smokos banned in Scotland

Published on March 27, 2006 at 5:33 AM · No Comments

A widespread ban on smoking came into action in Scotland on Sunday with relatively few problems.

The ban makes Scotland, with a population of five million, the first region in Britain where pubs, restaurants and workplaces are now smoke-free, and follows the example set by Ireland, which imposed the world's first nation-wide smoking ban in 2004.

Scotland’s new anti-smoking enforcement officers, drawn from environmental health departments, were out and about for the first time in pubs across the country ensuring no one was breaking the new law.

They sensibly adopted a 'softly-softly' approach, and concentrated on issuing advice rather than fines.

The ban is part of an effort to tackle the country's poor public health record and experts are optimistic that it will result in a decrease in the 1,000 deaths a year in Scotland caused by passive smoking.

In an attempt to alter Scotland's"sick man of Europe" nickname, no smoking signs have been posted to enforce the measure, and are part of a broader scheme to change the heavy drinking and smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise lifestyle which has earned Scotland its poor reputation.

It is estimated that about 30 percent of people in Scotland smoke, a higher rate than the rest of Britain, and Scots also have lower life expectancy.

First Minister Jack McConnell, head of Scotland's government, says they mean to change the unhealthy reputation and the poor record of heart disease, cancer and strokes.

Comments
The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News-Medical.Net.



  Country flag

biuquote
  • Comment
  • Preview
Loading