Today was the first day of the smoking ban in Scotland. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces, including bars, restaurants, cafes, offices and even lorry cabs and white vans.

Why is this a good thing?

• In Scotland (population approx 5 million), 13 000 people die each year from smoking-related illnesses. 1000 of these are due to passive smoking.
• The average smoker’s lifespan is ten years shorter than the average non-smoker. My father died at the age of 64 from a smoking-related illness. He would probably still be alive if he had never smoked.
• 30 minutes exposure to second hand smoke is sufficient to reduce coronary blood flow in otherwise healthy adults.
• Non-smokers exposed to passive smoking in the home have a 25% increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer.

More stats are available on both the Clearing the Air Scotland and ASH Scotland websites.

Of course, the anti-ban lobby FOREST have a completely different view of the scientific evidence. But then they are funded by Big Tobacco. And they have the most unappealing set of smoking-related photographs!

The hope
The hope is that the 80% of smokers who wish to give up will use the ban as an incentive. Already the smoking cessation service provided by NHS Scotland has received double the number of enquiries as usual. The pull of “social smoking” may become less. And the general health of the population may improve.

Personally, it will be great to be able to go out for an evening and not come back smelling of smoke.

I welcome a smoke-free Scotland.

Update 26/03/06: We went for a walk through Shawlands this afternoon. Interesting to see small groups of smokers outside most of the pubs and restaurants.