Scottish smoking ban a boost for Liverpool

April 29, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE

Smokefree campaigners in Liverpool have welcomed the decision to ban smoking in public places in Scotland.

And they believe the decision gives added strength to their campaign to introduce 100% restrictions on smoking in workplaces in Liverpool.

Members of the Scottish Parliament voted by a large majority to ban smoking in all pubs, restaurants and clubs, from next April.

In England, the Government is proposing to curb smoking in public places - but to continue to allow smoking in some pubs and clubs.

Liverpool City Council believes a complete restriction is essential to protect the health of all workers, and it is promoting a Bill in Parliament with this aim.

Councillor Mike Storey, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Scotland has given a clear lead to the Government on this issue. I hope that whoever forms the new administration will have the same concern for English people's health and will take the same action to save lives."

SmokeFree Liverpool is backing the Council, and Chair Andy Hull said the Scottish decision added weight to the '100% campaign'.

"Ireland has adopted a total ban, and now Scotland is doing the same. It just makes no sense for England to be the odd man out, when the facts about the numbers of deaths caused by second-hand smoke in public places are well known.

"How can the Government continue to say that exemptions make sense, when our nearest neighbours are saying quite clearly that they don't?"

He added that efforts to persuade MPs and Peers to back the 'Liverpool Bill' would be given added impetus by the Scottish decision.

"We have already been impressed by the support we have had in Parliament, and this Scottish move will simply help us to make our case even more strongly to the English decision-makers."

SmokeFree Liverpool has now written to the First Minister of Scotland, congratulating him on securing the approval of the Scottish Parliament.

The letter also asks the First Minister to 'encourage the next British Government to think again on its proposals for smokefree provision, and to follow Scotland's lead to make all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smokefree'.