Smoking ban campaigners favour 15-metre zone

The majority of respondents to a Scottish Government consultation on banning smoking near Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital and other hospital buildings support a 15-metre enforcement zone to protect people from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

A total of 559 people or organisations commented on the possible introduction of a legally-enforceable no-smoking area around hospital buildings – and 72 per cent of them agreed that 15 metres was a suitable distance.

The Scottish Parliament has already passed legislation to make it an offence to light up in no-smoking areas outside hospitals.

However, before penalties can be imposed, secondary legislation is needed on three technical matters which the consultation sought views on, the Scottish Government says.

These are the distance which will form the perimeter of the no-smoking areas outside a hospital building; the wording of no-smoking notices and how they’re displayed; and whether there are any specific areas of land or buildings on hospital grounds where there is no need for a no-smoking area.

Following the publication of the consultation results, the Scottish Government is to publish a paper by the autumn outlining how the findings will be taken forward.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:“Smoking remains the most significant cause of ill health in Scotland, leading to more than 9,000 premature deaths, and I believe the enforcement of no-smoking areas will help us cut those numbers.”