14 DAY TRIAL // Scotland became the first part of Britain which baned on Sunday smoking in pubs, restaurants, cafes and workplaces. Officials hope that this action will lead to a decrease in the number of people dying from passive smoking, currently 1,000 a year in Scotland.
A recent survey also shows worrying figures, namely that about 30% Scots smoke and have lower life expectancy. This action is part of a bigger set of measures designed to change the label Europe has put on Scotland: "sick man of Europe" and want to put an end to heavy drinking and smoking, poor diet and the lack of exercise. The first day passed without incidents; individual smokers complained but they decided to make the best of this new law.
Scotland's new anti-smoking officers inspected pubs in order to see if the law is respected; for now, they settled for giving advice, rather than a ?50 fine. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, said he expects resistance, although the ban was necessary to reduce deaths from cancer, heart disease and strokes.
"I think we've got to be realistic about this. There are going to be people who will be inconvenienced by the ban. But I also believe Scotland is a law-abiding country," he added. The ban was inspired by Ireland, which, in 2004, became the first country to impose it.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland are also expected to impose similar bans next year. Those who oppose the ban have described the evidence about passive smoking dubious and said this measure attacks individual freedom and the customs of the working class, that of drinking of smoking.