Trade association faces battle over smoking ban

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has admitted its "back is against the wall" in its battle against a proposed smoking ban in Scotland.

But Paul Waterson, SLTA's chief executive, said the "fight will go on" to stop the blanket ban - now due to be introduced next April.

Scottish MPs voted 83 to 15 in favour of outlawing smoking, as part of the Smoking Health and Social Care Bill, last week.

If introduced, licensees who fail to enforce the law could face fines of up to £2,500, while smokers could be fined up to £1,000.

But Mr Waterson pointed to a Scottish Executive survey, which suggested that 80 per cent of the country's population is against a ban.

He also highlighted research that showed the licensed trade would lose £100m in turnover, 2,300 jobs and 142 medium-sized premises would be forced to close, in the first year of a ban.

"Public opinion is with us and it would be a bad law," Mr Waterson added.

Last week the SLTA and other members of the Against an Outright Ban pressure group unveiled a giant poster campaign featuring First Minister Jack McConnell saying "Why jack-in smoking in pubs? There is a sensible alternative."

The Publican Party - set up by two licensees in February to oppose the ban - is similarly defiant.

Kit Fraser, one of the party's founders and licensee at the Hootananny, Inverness, said: "We are not deterred in the slightest by the vote on this bill and will carry on with our campaign."

"These are democratically elected representatives, but they are not implementing the will of the people."

But Andy Kerr, Scottish health minister, called the bill the "most important piece of public health legislation in a generation".

He added: "Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable premature death in Scotland and passive smoking in responsible for many of these deaths.

"Lifting the smoke blanket from our pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants and enclosed public spaces will save hundreds of lives every year."