Clearing the Air Scotland - Healthier Scotland - Scottish Executive

“Smoking is such an unhealthy habit and can lead to some really nasty health problems, not only for smokers but for the rest of us who breathe in the second hand smoke. I’m glad to see the Scottish Executive taking this huge step to ban smoking in enclosed public places and improving our nation’s health. It’s excellent that Scotland is helping to lead the way in the fight against smoking.”

"As an athlete I am in complete support of the smoking ban, not only does smoking cause cancer but makes even the most attractive person smell and it doesn't not look nice either."

“I fully support the smoking ban in Scotland as it will lead to a much healthier nation in the long run. As we encourage kids to get more involved in sport and to eat well, it makes sense to play our part in providing them with a healthier environment to grow up in.”

I cannot stand breathing in other people's cigarette smoke, and I don't like to see my wife and children breathing it in when we go out. The smoking ban is fantastic and will do a lot to save lives in Scotland. Not only will people be able to breathe clean air, but it will also encourage people to give up smoking as has happened in other countries that have implemented a ban.

I welcome the forthcoming ban on smoking in enclosed public places and congratulate the Scottish Parliament on this brave decision. It would be great now to see Whitehall having the courage to bring in similar legislation in England. My support for a ban is both in a personal and a business capacity. Personally, I am aware of the damage to health that breathing in other people's cigarette smoke does, as well as the disgusting smell left behind on clothes. From a business point of view a smoking ban is clearly a positive thing, as witnessed in Ireland and New York. None of my business interests have been harmed by no smoking policies and the forthcoming ban will contribute to a healthier, forward thinking Scotland, which can only be a good thing.

Passive smoking is a killer and as an asthmatic has an obvious impact on me in terms of being able to go out and socialise. As a European medallist I do not want to risk my health by going out in smoky environments. Like so many other Scots, I cannot wait until the ban on smoking in enclosed public places comes into force.

"Can't wait until Scotland becomes a smoke free zone. It's about time Scotland addressed the health issues and surely smoking is no 1 issue. It spoils the enjoyment in restaurants and cafes for the rest of us and is a drain on the NHS."

"Scotland has taken the brave step to lead the rest of the UK in imposing a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. This will have a huge impact on saving lives each year, not only from passive smoking, but also for those who will be encouraged by the ban to give up. In places like New York and Ireland the revenues of bars and restaurants have gone up as a result of smoking bans and a ban is therefore not only to be welcomed in terms of saving lives, but also in terms of benefiting business. My hope is that the rest of the UK follows the Scottish Executive's courageous lead."

"I'll be dead chuffed when the smoking ban comes into force next year. Forget the obvious health risks, it's simply not a lot of fun coming home from the pub reeking like Dot Cotton's headscarf."

"I am all for the smoking ban in Scotland, but I am biased because I don't smoke!"

"I respect people's freedom to smoke, it is a personal choice, but it is frustrating not to be able to go out for one drink (Diet Coke, obviously!) and not come out with smoke in my hair and clothes. Waking up the next morning with smoke in your eyes can also make you feel like you have been up all night. I think the smoking ban will have a positive effect on people's health through limiting the possibility of passive smoking and I am actually quite looking forward to the ban starting."

"I don't smoke and I approve of the ban, as I hate smoking in restaurants and never visit pubs because of the atmosphere"

"Second-hand smoke kills and damages the health of thousands of Scots every year. I want to see smoke free public places so that Scotland can become a healthier country. I was so proud to win a medal for my country at the World Championships, but as someone who has asthma I never could have done that if I was a smoker or had been damaged by second-hand smoke."

“I am absolutely delighted to give my backing to the smoking ban. Roll on 26th March. Soon the days of my clothes and hair reeking of other people's cigarettes after a night out will be long gone, as well as the obvious health implications of not having to breathe in other people's carcinogenic tobacco smoke. This is a brave move by the Scottish Executive but it is one which will clearly have a considerable impact on Scotland's health."

"Passive smoking kills up to 1,000 lifelong non-smokers in Scotland each year and the smoking ban will have a positive impact on Scotland's health by reducing people's exposure to second hand smoke. As has also been shown in other countries which have implemented a ban, smokers are also more inclined to smoke less or give up. This is an excellent move by the Scottish Executive and one I am personally delighted to see. I urge all of Scotland to get behind the ban".

"Passive smoking is a killer and anything that can be done to prevent exposure to second hand smoke is to be applauded. Becoming Scotland's first ever gymnastic gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games was one of the proudest moments of my life and I can't wait until March 26 next year when the smoking ban comes into force and Scotland will proudly be leading the rest of the UK in saving lives."

"I fully support the smoking ban in Scotland. Too many people suffer from second-hand smoking. The ban will encourage people to stop smoking and live healthier lifestyles."

“As a Patron of The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and a Scotsman I am delighted that Scotland is taking this step to protect people from the danger of second hand smoke. This will prevent more people from suffering harm in the way that Roy Castle did."

"I do appreciate that smokers find cigarettes addictive, and that it can be hard to give up, but I do think the ban will help to change people's attitudes towards it. I believe that one day smoking will be viewed as socially unacceptable in the way that drink driving is now."

"Second hand smoke kills up to 1,000 lifelong non-smoking Scots each year and I fully support the Scottish Executive's proposal to legislate against smoking in enclosed public places. This is the single most effective measure likely to improve the nation's health, and all of Scotland should be behind it"