The Bill also clarifies the roles and responsibilities for health protection at a local level in a bid to ensure that people in Scotland will be better protected from the threat of infectious diseases and contamination. It updates previous public health legislation, parts of which dated back as far as 1889. 

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the Bill will equip Scotland for a “healthy future.” 

"In a world that is increasingly accessible, largely due to the ease of overseas travel, the threat of infectious diseases and contamination is an issue facing every country. 

"This major piece of legislation will ensure appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the public from existing and emerging threats to public health. 

"It also puts in place new laws, the first in the UK, which protect young people from the dangers of sunbeds and sends out a clear signal about the health risks to the wider public.”