Tobacco.org

Decision on smoking to be taken next week 

Ministers will next week be recommended to back a complete ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants, starting on one day in spring 2006. The Herald understands the cabinet is to be presented with a range of options from Andy Kerr, the health minister, including a phased increase. . . .

The Holyrood cabinet will reach a decision next Wednesday when a paper outlining options is placed before it by Mr Kerr. . . .

Jack McConnell himself is also believed to have become increasingly sympathetic to this position, prompting critics in organisations such as the Scottish Licensed Trade Association to accuse ministers of pre-empting the public consultation process, which attracted a record 54,000 replies. In this unprecedented response, the first 25,000 replies were heavily dominated by the pro-ban message, but a late effort by publicans and their customers to influence the consultation saw at least as many anti-ban responses sent in during the closing weeks.

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