ASH news release:  For immediate release  Wednesday 10^th November 2004

Scottish Executive announcement on smokefree public places

Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell is today expected to announce that the Scottish Executive will bring forward a new law to end smoking in all Scottish workplaces and enclosed public places. This follows a major consultation exercise with the Scottish public, which produced a record number of responses and gave overwhelming backing to a new law. The announcement will increase the pressure on UK Health Secretary John Reid to announce a similar move for the whole UK, in the White Paper on public health due next week.

ASH will warmly welcome a move to end workplace smoking in Scotland. This will be a major advance for public health, protecting non-smoking employees and members of the public from the damaging effects of secondhand smoke, and encouraging many smokers to cut down or quit altogether.

ASH and ASH Scotland will be available for comment and analysis on the Scottish announcement, which is likely to be made at around 2.30pm.

ASH Scotland can be contacted on 0131 225 4725

(Chief Executive: Maureen Moore, Communications Officer: Iain Brotchie).

ASH can be contacted on 020 7739 5902.

Contact: Deborah Arnott  020 7739 5902 (w) 079 7693 5987 (m) ISDN available

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