Don't smoke before your visit, public to be told

Executive says councils should identify smoking households when ban comes in

News, 22 December 2005

Not smoking in your own home one hour before and during a visit by a public sector worker is part of guidance issued by the Scottish Executive yesterday.

Intended as part of the ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places and workplaces which comes into force on 26 March, the move has been condemned by several MSPs as a waste of money and a huge bureaucratic burden.

Councils, health boards and social work departments are being advised to compile a list of those who regularly receive visits from officials and carers, identifying households where there is a smoker resident.

These households would then receive letters asking them not to smoke one hour before the official is due to visit. Workers with breathing problems would also be kept away from homes with smokers in them to protect their health.

Health Minister Andy Kerr Kerr said there was irrefutable evidence that passive smoking kills. Talking about the the latest survey on attitudes to smoking in public places and the forthcoming legislation, he said: "I am pleased these figures continue to show strong levels of support for the new legislation. It is also pleasing that 92% of people surveyed were aware of the changes the legislation will bring."

However, the deputy leader of the Conservative Party Murdo Fraser said the proposals would add a huge additional cost to public agencies, while Liberal Democrat MSP and health committee member Mike Rumbles called the move "political correctness gone mad".

A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said public sector agencies were not expected to incur any extra costs as a result of the guidance.