Cancer Research UK greets “golden” moment for Scottish smokers

Smokefree legislation that came into force in Scotland this weekend offers a “golden” opportunity for Scottish smokers to kick the habit, Cancer Research UK has said.

Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Scotland is now smokefree and proud. This historic law will save thousands of lives.

“Most smokers want to quit. And the ban gives them a golden opportunity to stop smoking for good.

“We will continue to campaign for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to introduce their bans as soon as possible and follow Scotland’s admirable lead.”

Around 30 per cent of adults in Scotland were estimated to smoke before the ban came into effect and tobacco claims around 13,000 lives every year in the country.

The country also has one of the poorest records of smoking related diseases in the EU. A record number of Scots are believed to have given up smoking yesterday.

The first few hours of the ban are believed to have passed smoothly, with only five recorded breaches by 22:00 GMT on Sunday.

 Cancer Research UK?s Smokefree Scotland press release

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