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LIGHTEN UP - Campaigners hit back at 'nanny
state' bid to stub out smoking in public
By Ben Spencer
Published 09th September, 2004.
Story from dailyrecord.co.uk: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14619852&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=lighten-up-name_page.html
TOBACCO campaigners yesterday hit back against plans to outlaw smoking
in public places.
They launched the Freedom2Choose group - aimed at putting the case against
a total ban.
The crackdown, which would cover all public places, moved a step closer
after Jack McConnell described it as both possible and desirable. The
First Minister told parliament yesterday that action was needed.
But the new group - backed by tobacco companies - claim a ban would totally
ignore public opinion.
Freedom2Choose's Liam Stratton said: 'Pubs have always been a place where
you can come and enjoy a drink and a cigarette.
'We ran our own independent survey and found nine out of 10 people were
against the ban.
'Our survey has shown 48 per cent of people using pubs are smokers. To
alienate those people would be unwise.'
The Executive are carrying out a public consultation on banning smoking
in public places which will finish at the end of this month.
But Freedom2Choose fear this consultation is not reaching the people in
Scotland's pubs, many of whom did not know it was even going on.
Stratton added: 'I also think it's unwise during a consultation period
for someone in the position of Jack McConnell to give his opinion.'
In Ireland, which has already banned smoking in public places, it is believed
smokers are down from 33 per cent of the population - about the same as
Scotland now - to about 25 per cent.
Stratton pointed to the example set by pubs such as the Doublet in Glasgow's
west end, which has introduced control measures.
Ventilation has been installed and there are separate smoking and non-smoking
areas. The area around the bar is reserved for non-smokers.
Freedom2Choose say that measures like these can improve the air quality
to the same standard as a non-smoking pub.
Doublet barmaid Dawn Cody, 27, argues this should be the alternative to
a ban. She said: 'A lot of non-smokers are starting to sit at the bar.
If they are happy as they are now, then there is no reason to change things.'
Landlord Alistair Don is sceptical about the claimed success of the Irish
smoking ban.
He said: 'I think they are going ahead with this far too quickly. They
have only had a few months of this but I think when winter comes it will
be totally different.
'I've also made a visit to Ireland and I didn't come back with the same
answers as the First Minister.'
McConnell was impressed with statistics showing more than 90 per cent
compliance with the law in Ireland.
Drinkers have embraced continental-style bars.
But there are fears trade will suffer when it becomes too cold to sit
outside.
# A major conference on public smoking is to be held today in Edinburgh,
with experts from both sides of the argument
