Outdoor Ban on Smoking and Alcohol Consumption Backed By Many People in Scotland

Many people in Scotland support smoking ban in outdoor premises like play grounds and also agree on banning alcohol in parks, says a new survey.The research done by an online doctor service found that 66 percent of Scots backed a ban on smoking in playgrounds and 49 percent supported extending restaurant restrictions to outside areas. But backing for outdoor bans decreased to 40 percent in parks and just 19 percent said they would travel further to visit a smoke-free beach.

Dr Nitin Shori, medical director of the Pharmacy2U and an NHS GP, said, “There does appear to be public support more smoking restrictions – particularly where children are likely to be playing. Some parents worry about the impact of breathing in second-hand smoke, while others can be concerned about the litter aspect.”

“The popularity of smoking has been on a downward trend since the risks became more widely understood in the 1970s. Smoking is still a major cause of preventable disease and premature deaths in Britain, so health worries tend to be a big driver for patients who decide to quit.”

“Its addictive nature means it can be a tough habit to break and although some succeed through willpower alone, others find nicotine replacement or prescription medication is helpful.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity ASH Scotland, said, “I’m delighted to see that there is public support for more smoke-free public places, in particular for children’s spaces. We believe that these restrictions work best when devised in consultation with the community, so that people can have their say and understand what is being achieved. The aim is to put smoking out of fashion for the next generation, and smoke-free events and targeted smoke-free public spaces are part of that ambition.”

Source-Medindia