Taxi Driver Online

Aberdeen Press and Journal

September 27, 2006 Wednesday

HEADLINE: Ban catches out over 200 smokers

BYLINE: Paul Gallagher

More than 200 fines for breaching Scotland's smoking ban have been imposed so far - but there have been none in Grampian and only one in the Highlands and Islands.

Yesterday marked the milestone of six months since the ban on lighting up in public places came into force.

Health Minister Andy Kerr marked the occasion by meeting people whose lives had been enhanced by the ban, including asthma sufferers and people who have been encouraged to quit smoking.

Figures show there have been 211 fixed penalty fines handed to people who have flouted the ban.

About two-thirds have been imposed in the central belt, with Renfrewshire leading the way on 60, followed by East Ayrshire on 43.

Dundee came third with 23, said to have mostly been given to taxi drivers, while there have been eight fines imposed in Angus and five in Falkirk. Shetland's first penalty was awarded last month, after a smoker was caught in a heavy goods vehicle, but the rest of the Highlands and Islands and Grampian have yet to follow suit.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said the reason no one had yet been fined by its officers was that the ban was being observed.

"We are keeping an eye on it but we are just not seeing it," he said.

"There are two enforcement officer posts at the moment and there's a possibility of taking on more if the need arises but at the moment there's no need." Mr Kerr said he had been encouraged by the response to the ban. "People across the country are using the ban as an incentive to give up smoking," he said.

"But it's in the years to come that I expect to see even bigger benefits. So much of our poor health in Scotland is linked to smoking and I think this legislation will have a real impact on that in the long term."

Maureen Moore, chief executive of the anti-smoking group Ash Scotland, hailed the ban as a success but said a further challenge was to prevent young people taking up the habit.

"This has been the public health triumph of a generation," she said.

She added: "The majority of people who are long-term smokers become addicted when they are teenagers. Ash Scotland would like to see the debate in Scotland move from the dangers of second-hand smoke to protecting and educating young people."

But the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said business had already dropped by 10% since the ban was introduced and was predicted to fall further.

Association secretary Colin Wilkinson said: "We are already seeing people sitting at home and drinking, with all the associated problems that brings."

Neil Rafferty, spokesman for smokers' group Forest, said: "As we move into autumn and winter, it is going to be very difficult for smokers to stay outside, and so they are going to go home with a carry-out and there is a danger they are going to smoke in front of the kids.

"All this could have been avoided if we had a sensible policy on smoking that recognised people's rights not to be bothered by cigarette smoke, but also other people's right to choose. A partial ban was very popular with everyone."

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