Smoking ban's 6am start on 26 March

Executive announces exact hour ban starts, along with guidance for enforcement

News, 9 November 2005

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The ban on smoking in enclosed public places will start at 6am on Sunday 26 March 2006.

The Scottish Executive announced the exact hour the ban will begin yesterday, along with guidance to pub owners about how to enforce the ban. It also warned that undercover environmental enforcers will go to pubs and restaurants to check that the no smoking rules are being enforced. There will also be a national compliance phone line for members of the public to report anyone smoking in public places.

Health Minister Andy Kerr said that 70% of Scots did not smoke, and of those who did, 70% wanted to give up.

Pub and restaurant owners will be responsible for enforcing the ban. The penalty for not doing so is a fine of £200. The guidance states that owners are expected to put up no smoking signs which measure at least 23cm by 16 cm and remove all ashtrays. If someone lights up, they will be asked not to. If they do not stop, they will be refused service.

Alistair Macdonald, managing director of Macdonald Licensing Ltd which specialises in licensing consultancy for the licensed trade, said many owners resented having to enforce a law that was going to lose them money.

Many bars are expected to host "smoke-in" nights on 25 March to commemorate the last legal day of smoking in an enclosed public space.

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