Total smoking ban has little support
14 Dec 04
Only 13% of Scots polled support complete ban on smoking in pubs
Fewer than one in seven Scots are in favour of Jack McConnell's plan to ban smoking in pubs and clubs.
An opinion poll commissioned by the Scottish Executive showed that only 13% favoured an all-out ban.
However a majority of over 50,000 respondents to a separate questionnaire issued by the Executive prior to formulating its proposals, supported some form of legislation to reduce the risk of passive smoking, while wishing to see some level of exemptions.
Rhona Brankin, Deputy Health Minister, insisted that the results indicated significant public support for the Executive's plans. The bill to implement the ban is due to be published on Friday.
Recent research suggests that up to 2000 deaths in Scotland each year could be caused by passive smoking among non-smokers.