MSPs look at calls to extend smoking ban

Published on 27/09/2006 11:25

MSPs were today considering a call for Scotland's smoking ban to be extended.

New laws banning smoking in enclosed public places came into force six months ago, but now a campaign has been launched to take the ban outdoors.

Peter Neild, from Arbroath, wants the ban on smoking to extend to doorways and seating areas outside non-smoking premises such as pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants.

He has put forward a petition to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee.

Mr Neild claimed that since the ban came into force on March 26 his local council had seen an increase in premises applying to place tables and chairs on the pavements to provide outdoor areas for smokers. He also argued that pedestrians often had to walk past such areas.

In a written submission to MSPs, he said: "Children and non-smokers are subjected to the smoke and any non-smoker entering such a premises has to pass through the seated area where people are smoking."

Mr Neild argued that was against the spirit of the ban.