This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pub chain smoke ban welcomed
24/01/2005
Scotland's Health Minister has welcomed the announcement from JD Wetherspoon that it is to ban smoking in 60 of its pubs from May this year - with a total ban to follow in May 2006.
Andy Kerr said:
"I very much welcome this example of innovative thinking by the licensed trade. JD Wetherspoon are listening to their customers and delivering for them.
"The Executive plans to ban smoking in all pubs by Spring next year in order to protect the health of the public. But this will give additional choice now to pub goers who enjoy a drink but not the second hand smoke that often goes with it.
"Second hand smoke is linked to hundreds of death each year. By banning smoking in public places we hope to take the single biggest step in improving public health since the Clean Air Act of the 1950s."