Consultation extension sought on smoking ban Bill
The Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee has sought to extend the consultation time available on a private member’s Bill to ban smoking in Scottish public places.
The Bill, tabled by SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell, would see smoking prohibited in “regulated public areas”, which are defined as areas where food or drink is served, though the bill does leave the option open for that definition of “regulated area” to be extended.
The Bill is separate to the Executive’s own consultation on smoking, which is not due to report until the end of the year. Mr Maxwell tabled his bill after indications from the Executive that they would not consider any smoking ban, but in recent weeks First Minister Jack McConnell seems to have become more open to a ban, commenting that the ban in Ireland appears to have worked well.
The Health Committee, which is scrutinising the Bill, was due to have completed its deliberations in time for a debate no later than November 2nd this year.
However, the Committee has now asked for that deadline to be extended until the end of January 2005.
Committee head, SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said that: “The committee has considered written and oral evidence from a range of individuals and organisations on the general principles of Stewart Maxwell’s Bill. However, it is aware that the results of the Scottish Executive’s ongoing consultation on smoking in public places will not be announced before the end of the year.
“The Committee is keen to take account of the outcome of that consultation and will, therefore, seek an extension to the timetable for reporting on the Bill.”
Its request is likely to be considered next week.
Commenting on the request, Mr Maxwell said that he appreciated the reasons behind the request, saying: “This extension will allow all the information collected to be taken into account, including the Executive’s own consultation process. All of the evidence and the public’s opinion will be clear by then.
However, he stressed: “During the evidence taking on my Bill it was clear that the outcome was overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on smoking in public places.
“It is important that when dealing with legislation such as this where people have strong opinions on both sides of the argument that the Parliament is seen to go through the full parliamentary process in order that we stick by the principles of openness, accountability and transparency.”
