Smokers "admit habit is anti-social"

Three in four smokers admit their habit is anti-social, according to a study out yesterday. One in five said they felt guilty about their addiction and the same amount believe smoking is not the done thing any more. But the study, for the NHS Smoking Helpline, found that 53 per cent still smoked in the same room as non-smokers.

Source: Daily Record (29 March 2006)

Smokers urged not to smoke at home

Smokers in Glasgow are being urged to extend the nationwide smoking ban in public places to their own homes. A project in the city’s east end has seen 50 people sign up to make their homes smoke free since December.

Source: BBC News (27 March 2006)

Scotland begins pub smoking ban

A ban on smoking in public places - including bars and restaurants - has come into effect in Scotland. It is being hailed as a step forward for health but critics say it will cost jobs and infringe human rights. First minister Jack McConnell said this was Scotland's "largest single step to improve its health for generations" and a day of pride for the nation.

Source: BBC News (26 March 2006)

Hotels to sack staff smelling of smoke

Two leading luxury hotels in Scotland are threatening to sack staff who smell of smoke following the introduction of today's groundbreaking ban on smoking in public places. In a move that goes well beyond what is required by the new law, Turnberry, the five-star Ayrshire golf resort, and the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa in Edinburgh have issued strict guidelines to hundreds of staff on complying with the legislation. The guidelines state that employees who want to smoke during an official break must wash their hands thoroughly and either brush their teeth or eat a mint straight afterwards before returning to duty.

Source: Scotland on Sunday (26 March 2006)

Smoking spies set to blitz pubs and clubs

Enforcement officers are to go undercover in pubs and bingo halls to catch people flouting Scotland's smoking ban which starts next Sunday. Edinburgh City Council says its officials will dress in "civvies" to spy on customers to ensure the ban is being enforced. In extreme cases, they will follow smokers home if they refuse to give their names so legal action can be taken.

Source: Scotsman (18 March 2006)

Council may take children from smokers

One Scotland’s biggest local authorities is threatening to remove foster children from smokers. New rules introduced by Dundee city council will ban smokers from adopting and fostering children under the age of five unless they agree to keep their homes smoke free. Smokers who already have foster children under five in their care face having them removed if they smoke at home.

Source: Sunday Times Scotland (12 March 2006)

"Ban motorists smoking"

Two thirds of motorists say they would support a driving and smoking ban, according to survey on the website autotrader.co.uk. Most of the 500 people surveyed said drivers should stub out before taking to the road - with a fifth of smokers agreeing. Nearly as many said that when it comes to choosing a used car they prefer to buy from non-smokers too. A total of 61 per cent said they would prefer to buy a smoke-free car - with a third of smokers admitting they would do likewise. The survey follows news that the Highway Code will carry warnings to motorists regarding smoking and driving for this time in its next edition.

Source: Autotrader (7 March 2006)

5m vow to give up on No Smoking Day

A record number of smokers will try to kick the habit as part of this year's annual No Smoking Day, it was claimed last night. Research by NOP for No Smoking Day showed that 41% of smokers in the UK (five million people) were preparing to quit on March 8. It is the largest proportion of smokers ever to attempt to give up on National No Smoking Day, which has been running for 23 years.

Source: Scotland on Sunday (5 March 2006)

JD Wetherspoon ends no-smoking trial

JD Wetherspoon has called time on a bold experiment to extend its smoking ban beyond 49 of its pubs after the company faced plunging alcohol and slot machine revenues and a backlash from increasingly disgruntled regular customers. Profits from 37 pubs that were converted to non-smoking dropped by 20% for the three months to January 22 (new pubs are automatically designated non-smoking). Revenues dropped 7.6% with alcohol sales believed to have declined by 17% and fruit machine earnings down by about a quarter. Lower margin food sales grew by about 10% and now represent about 39% of the sales mix at the non-smoking pubs.

Source: Guardian (4 March 2005)

City to ban smoking in play parks

Smoking is on the verge of being banned in children's play areas in Glasgow after it was approved by the council's parks committee. Anyone caught lighting up could in extreme cases face a fine of up to £200. When introduced the ban will operate in parks and council-run playgrounds in housing estates. Parks convener, Councillor Aileen Colleran, said: "We decided it'd be a good idea to limit the exposure children have to smoking - both passive smoking and seeing it as a bad example."

Source: BBC News (1 March 2006)