MORE than 80% of Scots back a ban on smoking outside schools to protect children’s health, a survey indicates.
Charity partnership Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland surveyed 1002 adults in Scotland and found four in five (81.1%) want smoking outside the school gates to be prohibited.
The charity said passive smoking, while harmful to all, is particularly dangerous for babies and children as their lungs are still growing. It said youngsters breathing in other people’s smoke could face slowing lung growth and an increased risk of developing asthma.
The charity is now calling for Scotland to follow Wales in banning smoking around areas where children and young people spend their time, such as school grounds and play areas.
Joseph Carter, head of Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “Passive smoking not only has detrimental health effects on children’s lungs, but it also increases the likelihood that they too will become smokers later in life.
“It is vital that we protect the next generation’s lungs from the effects of smoke.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here