Letter: Smoking row

Brian Montieth's rant against the smoking ban should come as no surprise (Scottish Perspective, 20 September 2010). However, his attack on Professor Pell and, in particular, on the recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine was low.

This evidence-based research shows that the smoking ban in public places is not only effective, but is also imperative for public health. What Mr Montieth misses is that 40 per cent of children in Scotland live with an adult smoker. The debate now concerns what rights Scottish children have to live in a smoke-free environment.

The British Lung Foundation are spearheading a campaign calling for a ban on smoking in cars if a minor is present. In Norway, there is a debate about the right of a child to be able to breathe in a smoke-free environment wherever they may be. Mr Montieth needs to accept the changing public tide and the evidence conducted by leading medical experts.

CATHERINE STIHLER MEP

Church Street

Inverkeithing, Fife