The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed the Scottish Executive’s decision to ban smoking in all enclosed public places in Scotland.

Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell told the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday that a "comprehensive ban" on smoking in public places would be introduced by the spring of 2006.

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, said the decision had shown “political courage” in making Scottish public places smokefree.

”Wednesday’s decision puts Scotland at the head of a growing international movement to control the damage tobacco does to health and it is now time for the UK Government and NIO to follow that example,” Mr McElwee said. “Smoking is the largest single cause of preventable death and ill health in our society today, killing 2,800 people in Northern Ireland every year. Ending smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places is the single most effective action the Government could do to protect non-smokers and encourage more smokers to quit.”

The NIO, Secretary of State and Health Minister must act decisively in introducing laws that will protect the health of employees and customers from cancer causing substances in the workplace, he added.

Yesterday, the British Medical Association for Northern Ireland (BMA NI) also welcomed the Scottish Executive’s decision and urged local Ministers to follow suite.

Dr Peter Maguire, the BMA's Deputy Chairman of the Board of Science and a consultant anaesthetist in Newry, described the news as “brilliant”.

“The new legislation will save lives and protect health in Scotland. Scottish politicians have listened to the evidence on second-hand smoke and have put the health of their citizens first. We need our Ministers in Northern Ireland to do the same,” he said.

(MB/SP)