Schotland voorzichtiger mbt rookbeleid
Zéér tegen de zin van anti-rokersorganisaties heeft de Schotse Eerste Minister McConnell zijn plannen om tot een rookvrije horeca te komen afgezwakt. Lange tijd heeft hij beweerd dat Schotland, in tegenstelling tot het op rookgebied veel liberalere Engeland, harder zou optreden tegen roken in bars en restaurants.
Hij is tot inkeer gekomen en neemt nu een veel realistischer standpunt in: via overleg met de sector zal bekeken worden hoe de rookoverlast aan te pakken.
CANCER charities have accused Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister, of a failure of political leadership over the decision not to press ahead quickly with a ban on smoking in public places.
Their criticism came on the day that the Scottish Executive published its blueprint on how it aims to create a “smoke-free Scotland”.
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The charities see this as a retreat and Ian Gibson, Scottish director of the Macmillan cancer charity, said yesterday that the Executive had given out an “inconsistent message”.
The possibility of a smoking ban in pubs, clubs and restaurants in Scotland gained ground two weeks ago after newspaper reports that the Executive was backing it.
However, at a press conference last week Mr McConnell said that such a ban would be difficult to police and did not carry his personal support.
The official position now appears to be that ministers have included the option but know that an extension of a voluntary ban, through local licensing boards, is more realistic.
