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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Draft Smoking regulations (Scotland) published
A consultation period has commenced with the publication of The Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 (Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises) Regulations 2005 (draft) which will govern smoking in certain public places in Scotland.
The regulations define the meaning of the terms used and designate those premises classed as 'no-smoking' as:
restaurants, bars/ public houses, shops and shopping centres;
hotels;
libraries, archives, museums and galleries;
cinemas, concert halls, theatres, bingo halls, casinos, dance halls, discotheques and other premises used for the entertainment of members of the public;
premises used as a broadcasting studio or film studio, or for the recording of a performance with a view to its use in a programme service or in a film intended for public exhibition;
halls and any other premises used for the assembly of members of the public for social or recreational purposes, conference centres, public halls and exhibition halls, club premises, sports centres;
public toilets;
offices, factories and other premises or vehicles in which more than one employee works, educational institutions;
premises providing secure accommodation services;
hospitals, hospices and health centres, crèches, day nurseries, day centres and other premises used for the day care of children or adults;
premises used for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction, or the social or recreational activities of a religious body
airport passenger terminals and any other public transportation facilities
public transportation vehicles
Exemptions from the legislation are:
residential premises;
adult care homes;
adult hospices;
psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units;
oil rigs;
private vehicles ;
designated hotel bedrooms;
designated police rooms.
The consultation period ends on Thursday, May 26 2005. A Regulatory Impact Assessment is also available.
Comment
"We know that the single largest cause of preventable premature death in Scotland is smoking. Thousands of people die as a direct result of the habit every year and it's time to start kicking that habit.
The case for reducing smoking and exposure to second hand smoke in order to improve health is absolutely indisputable, which makes this the most important piece of public health legislation in a generation.
The regulations out for consultation today set out exactly what we intend to be the effect of the Bill and clarify the very few places which we think should be exempt.
We welcome comments on these, but, I have made it perfectly clear in the past that we intend that exemptions would only be made on humanitarian grounds and in respect of people's homes. This legislation needs to be as comprehensive as possible in order to be effective.
Where we do propose exemptions, for example in adult care homes and psychiatric units, we will ensure that there are smoke-free policies in place for those residents, staff and visitors who want to be in a smoke-free environment. There will also be support for residents to help them quit smoking.
All licensed premises will be covered - public health cannot stop at the door of the public house." - Health Minister.
11.03.05
