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Smoking ban ‘could yet fail’ |
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Monday, 25 February 2008 |
The Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland (REHIS) has expressed concern over the refusal of several unnamed councils to provide assurances that monies designed for enforcement of the smoking ban would be used for that purpose.
Under the previous administration, funding for frontline enforcement of the smoking ban was ring-fenced. While the new SNP Government has announced continued funding in support of that goal, the money will no longer be ring-fenced but will be funded through the local government settlement.
The alarm was raised after several environmental health officers reported that several councils had refused to provide assurances that the funding would continue to be used for its targeted purpose.
REHIS president Robert Howe said that the smoking ban was “the most significant public health intervention in Scotland for decades. It ranks alongside the provision of clean drinking water and basic sanitation as one of the most important environmental health developments of the last 200 years.”
The ban came into force at the end of March 2006, and has enjoyed broad support. However, the penalties of enforcement have been omnipresent. Under the terms of the ban, anyone lighting up in a prohibited place risks an on the spot fine of £50, and businesses which do not prohibit smoking on their premises or fail to display No Smoking signs face a £200 fine.
Howe went on to say that some enforcement has been necessary and that the smoking ban has issues that still need to be clarified such as smoking in taxis and hotel rooms. He believes that continued enforcement was imperative to the success of the ban and funding for that enforcement is now in danger.
“Although the continued Scottish Government funding is intended for frontline enforcement, the cash no longer has to be accounted for, and we believe financial pressures will tempt some local authorities to spend the money elsewhere. In some cases, the funding may not even reach Environmental Health Departments, let alone be used specifically in support of smoke-free legislation
One person has commented on this article. 1. Smoking ban ‘could yet fail’
RTS, Unregistered I don't understand. If the smoking ban is SO popular (as we're continually told) why is anyone worried about it failing if rigorous enforcement isn't maintained?
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