BMA Scotland launches public consultation on smoking in public places

BMA Scotland is today launching a campaign to encourage members of the public to have their say in the Scottish Executive's consultation on smoking in public places.

Breathe better in Scotland, a poster campaign for GP surgeries, highlights the impact that second hand tobacco smoke in public places has on both children and adults and encourages patients to use their time while waiting for their GP consultation, to complete a consultation response form.

"It is widely accepted by everyone, except the tobacco industry, that passive smoking kills. As doctors, we treat patients whose health is affected by tobacco smoke and we feel strongly that firm action is needed to tackle this public health problem," said Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland.

"Endless surveys have shown that the majority of the public would support legislation to ban smoking in public places and it is important that this consultation is used as an opportunity to express their views.

"We have already witnessed the success of legislation in countries like Ireland where they have achieved more than 95% compliance in only six months. Impressively, in addition to the benefit to non-smokers, we have also seen smoking levels in Ireland drop by almost 4%. Meanwhile in Scotland one third of the adult population smokes, less than one per cent of bars and restaurants are smoke free and only half of all workers work in a smoke free environment. More than 13,000 Scots die each year from smoking related illnesses and of these, more than 100 die as a result of breathing other people's smoke."

Edinburgh GP, Dr Michael Byrne, is backing the campaign. He said: "Many of my patients smoke, but many of them also wish to give up. I believe a ban on smoking in public places would help them to achieve that goal. Most importantly, an increasing number of my patients suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma which is worsened when they are exposed to tobacco smoke.

"Rather than reading a magazine while they wait for their appointments, I hope that my patients take the opportunity to complete a consultation response form and have their say in this consultation."