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Home>Smoking> Scottish smoking ban opponents seek legal advice
Scottish smoking ban opponents seek legal advice
Many owners of Scotland's pubs and clubs are seeking legal advice on whether they can challenge the banning of public
smoking in Scotland.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) argues that the ban will have a severe effect on the industry and could lead
to around 30,000 job losses as well as a reduction in VAT and excise duty.
Chief executive Paul Waterson said: "We will continue the fight. We are consulting with legal advisers.
"We will pursue every avenue to ensure that the interests of the licensed trade are upheld."
The Scottish Executive is planning to introduce a ban on smoking in public places by Spring 2006, with those ignoring the new
laws facing fines of up to ?,600.
The SLTA is suggesting a number of compromise proposals, such as a smoking ban at the bar and in any area where hot food is
being served, as well as increasing ventilation and requiring pubs to allocate a minimum of 30 per cent of total floor space
as a non smoking area.
However, First Minister Jack McConnell maintains that the health benefits by a full ban outweigh claims that jobs will be
lost.
http://www.hda-online.org
 
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