Scottish smoking consultation 'shambles'
The Scottish trade has branded the smoking consultation a "shambles" following First Minister Jack McConnell's claim that a smoking ban was "desirable" for Scotland.
The minister visited Dublin this week in a fact-finding mission to see how its smoking ban was working. Press reports claim this could mean a ban on smoking in public places north of the border before the end of 2006.
Mr McConnell, who was speaking after a meeting with Irish health minister Micheál Martin, has previously been unsure of how a ban would be enforced. But this week he said: "I am more convinced now that at the very least something approaching an all-out ban is enforceable, practical and desirable in Scotland."
However, his statement has undermined the case of the Scottish pub trade, which has been keen to put forward its concerns during the public consultation, which finishes at the end of the month.
It also undermines a radical proposal put forward by the trade for dealing with smoking in pubs. It is calling for the Scottish Executive to put forward legislation that would ban smoking in the bar and smoking where food is served.
Stuart Ross, chief executive of Belhaven Brewery, said: "I find it extraordinary that the First Minister should comment while in the middle of a consultation. A few hours in Dublin as the guest of the Irish Prime Minister should not sway his view.
"The trade is flabbergasted at the shambolic handling of the whole consultation process. We are not at all happy with the way the Scottish Executive is handling the whole thing."
Gordon Millar, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: "The initial reaction was one of total disappointment and frustration in the middle of a consultation.
"The first minister has already given an indication on the approach he intends to take. We are going to continue to put our case and hammer the industry message."
Pictured: Jack McConnell (right) meets Micheál Martin and barperson Doireann O'Leary in the Porterhouse Bar, Dublin.
Related articles:
Scotland smoking ban a 'serious option' (31 August 2004)
