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Smoking Ban

Sir,

 

Brian Montieth’s rant against the smoking ban should come as no surprise (Scottish Perspective, 20 September 2010).  However, his attack on Professor Pell and in particular on the recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine was low even for him.  Even with all of the evidence before him, he chooses to ignore its significance. 

 

This evidence based research shows that the smoking ban in public places is not only effective, but is imperative for public health.  What Brian Montieth misses is that 40% of children in Scotland still live with an adult smoker.  The debate now concerns what rights Scottish children have to live in a smoke free environment. The British Lung Foundation are currently spearheading a campaign calling for a ban on smoking in cars if a minor is present.  This is something we cannot ignore.  In Norway, there is a debate about the right of a child to be able to breathe in a smoke free environment wherever they may be. 

 

Brian Montieth needs to accept the changing public tide and the evidence conducted by leading medical experts.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Catherine Stihler MEP