What action it is taking to support the findings of the British Medical Association's report, Towards smoke-free public places, and to enco…

The Scottish Executive is well aware of the health risks posed by passive smoking and has consistently pressed for smoke-free facilities in both public places and workplace. To drive forward an increase in smoke-free facilities in public places we launched the Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places in May 2000. The charter was signed by the four main bodies in the licensed, tourism and hospitality industries, the British Hospitality Association, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, the Scottish Licensed Trade and the Scottish Tourism Forum. We will be reviewing progress against targets for the charter with the signatories early next year. This will allow us to consider what further action is needed to increase non-smoking provision in public places. In addition the Scottish Executive is working with the Health Education Board for Scotland on a passive smoking communication strategy to raise public awareness of the risks associated with passive smoking. We recognise the workplace is a major opportunity for health improvement. As part of our on-going health improvement drive we will be seeking to accelerate health improvement through workplace-based initiatives. Clearly, robust workplace smoking policies will continue to be central to this programme. Moreover, we will continue to press the UK Government to bring forward an Approved Code of Practice on Smoking in the Workplace which was heralded in the Smoking Kills white paper.