From the dot of 0600 GMT on Sunday, smoking ban in enclosed public places will be activated. Scotland will also play host to one of the largest studies in the world that will probe the impact of smoking ban on the health of bar staff.
The study, budgeted at a mammoth £140,000, will be funded by NHS Health Scotland, and will be conducted by Aberdeen University researchers, who will study the health of 360 bar staff in Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders.The university's Dr Sean Semple said: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a cause of considerable ill-health, with estimates suggesting ETS causes between 1,500 and 2,000 non-smoker deaths every year in Scotland. Workers in the hospitality sector have particularly high levels of ETS exposure.
An introduction of smoke free legislation would mean immediate health benefits to workers in the hospitality industry. This study is aimed at checking out, if a ban on smoking really benefits the health of the workers in the bars of Scotland. The study will also ascertain if bar workers who smoke, are influenced positively by this ban and get inspired to kick the habit.
