Academic dismisses Scottish Licensed Trade Association appeal on smoking ban
A leading academic dismissed renewed calls for the Scottish Government to relax the smoking ban as "absolute nonsense".
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 26.05.11
- Published online : 26.05.11 @ 12.33pm
Professor Brian Lipworth of Dundee University made the comment in response to the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), which wants ministers to adopt the same approach as many other European countries and allow smoking indoors under certain conditions.
The trade body says 800 pubs have already closed their doors for good since the ban on smoking in public places came into force in 2006.
They describe the law as "draconian" with only five out of 27 countries in the EU using similar legislation.
Although the chief executive of the SLTA, Paul Waterson, believes there is no going back to the smoke-filled bars, he is keen to see a range of new measures considered such as creating special licences allowing smoking and designated rooms that could be used by smokers.
But Professor Lipworth disagrees with the approach and warns any reversal of the current law would be a step in the wrong direction.
"I believe it would undo a lot of good work already done," said Professor Lipworth, who led a research project into the health implications of a smoking ban for bar workers shortly before it came into law.
"To suggest a room within a pub that can restrict the exposure of smoke elsewhere is just not going to work."
The professor of allergy and pulmonology discovered through his own research that the health of bar workers improves where second-hand smoke is not present.
He reckons that holding up other European countries as a template to copy is not a fair comparison and is under no illusions that UK residents are already enjoying secondary health benefits as a consequence of the ban.
Knock-on health benefit
"The likelihood is that some people who want to smoke in the pub but can't will say, ‘Sod it I am not going to bother going out.' They end up drinking less alcohol and, of course, save money.
"I don't believe the smoking ban is draconian. It has already resulted in health benefits for people."
Professor Lipworth believes there is little chance of the government reversing legislation.
"I don't think the Scottish Government are going to rewind the tape. It's a long shot," he said.
Although the threat of would-be pub customers electing for a quiet night in is exactly what the licensed industry fears, for health experts this scenario is viewed as a positive step.
NHS Tayside's director of public health, Dr Drew Walker, says the health board is against any proposals to relax the smoking ban.
He agrees that the UK as a whole has benefited from the ban, with less people admitted with smoking-related diseases.
"NHS Tayside fully supports the existing ban," said Dr Walker. "In our view, the ban on smoking in public places reinforces a culture of non-smoking in Scotland. Smoking is the biggest single cause of death and disease in Tayside and it's a major priority for NHS Tayside to reduce the numbers of smokers."
Dutch example
Many European countries operate a smoking ban in public places, such as in the Netherlands which went on to become the first to overturn the law late last year allowing small independent bars to allow smoking.
Despite this landmark ruling Scott Clark, bar manager of Braes on the Perth Road in Dundee, is holding out little hope that a similar move would be seen in this country.
"The smoking ban has been very popular with lots of people but there was a hard core at the time who did not want it," he said. "I think smoking indoors is gone now and I can't see the government changing that.
"Just the other day I read that they want to go further and ban smoking outdoors in New York. I think that is a more likely direction we will go in."
At the Ladywell Tavern on the Victoria Road in Dundee, the new owners say they would welcome a change in policy.
"I honestly believe that if a public house does not serve food then they should be allowed to let customers smoke," said manager Kathie Berg. "I think it is up to the individual which pub they go to."
01.16pm - 26.05.2011 Charles - uk, uk Report This
Good ventilation systems will prevent smoke filled pubs.
08.18am - 27.05.2011 Grafiger - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Report This
Professor Lipworth's comments are not surprising in that he was instrumental in imposing the ban in the first place. His comments on drinking less hold little water for reasons that are self obvious. Also, to suggest that the ban is not Draconian is an insult to intelligence.
12.03pm - 27.05.2011 Ross Johannsen - Dundee, UK Report This
Professor Lipworth says "To suggest a room within a pub that can restrict the exposure of smoke elsewhere is just not going to work." The US Surgeon General says "Specially designed smoking areas inside a building can effectively isolate secondhand smoke " I'd go with the Surgeon General on this
12.39pm - 27.05.2011 Belinda - Edinburgh, UK Report This
IF people decide not to go to the pub, they will automatically drink less? They could drink more for less money. And they could smoke at home too. What about those who go out not for the drink but for the company?
04.20pm - 27.05.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
If smoking is reintroduced to pubs it will kill them. Many, many people (including smokers) like the new smoke free pubs. No amount of ventilation will make the experience any pleasanter if it returns. People will just stay at home and drink the cheap super market booze that is really closing pubs.
05.59pm - 27.05.2011 Belinda - Edinburgh, UK Report This
Nobody but nobody is arguing for making it compulsory to reintroduce smoking in pubs Stuart.
12.16am - 28.05.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Never said they were Belinda. But lets not kid ourselves, it only takes 1 smoker to stink a place out as well as peoples clothes and hair. Pubs will fold as they become unattractive as well as expensive. Cheap supermarket booze is killing pubs, NOT the smoking ban.
06.49pm - 28.05.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
800 pubs have closed because there is no demand for their product, simple rules of supply and demand. Publicans must up their game, the days of opening the pub door and have customers walk in, are over, and its no bad thing.
09.09pm - 02.06.2011 Jo - London, England Report This
The professor of allergy and pulmonology discovered through his own research that the health of bar workers improves where second-hand smoke is not present. Just how did he come to this ? Is it published and proven without doubt or is it just another piece of fake 'research'
11.19pm - 07.06.2011 Belinda - Edinburgh, uk Report This
Stuart, that's nonsense, I saw one or two people smoking in bars even after the ban and no one noticed. At least no one that would have put a stop to it if they had known. It doesn't anyway alter the fact that landlords don't _have_ to allow smoking just because the law allows smoking.
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