Councils get cash for anti-smoking enforcers
4 Nov 05
Executive provides funds for two employees per authority to patrol smoking ban
Scotland's smoking ban will be enforced by dedicated local authority employees funded by the Scottish Executive.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said that £6 million would be provided over three years to help councils police the ban on smoking in public places which comes into force in March.
The money is enough to pay for two enforcement officers for each local authority. It is expected that both new and existing staff will enforce the legislation.
The enforcement officers will take action against individual smokers and againt managers and owners of premises who permit smoking. Each face being fined and there could be licence implications for premises.
Premises must also display prominent warnings or face a fixed penalty of £200.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said he believed the legislation would be largely self-enforcing but it was important to have the right structure and support in place to enforce the ban.