McConnell – Future generations will thank us for smoking ban
Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell has claimed future generations will thank those supporting a public smoking ban.
In his traditional New Year statement, Mr McConnell highlighted plans to introduce a ban next year. He accepted that such a ban would be difficult to establish, but promised that 2005 represents a big chance to improve Scotland’s poor public health.
“We have the chance to create the legislation that will make the greatest improvement to our health for a generation by banning smoking in public places,” he said. “Generations to come will thank us for this, however difficult it may seem now.”
But while public health may dominate domestic politics next year, Scotland’s First Minister suggested that his country’s international standing should be boosted in 2005.
Scotland will host a G8 summit during the UK’s presidency of the powerful group of western states. Jack McConnell reflected on this, welcoming the benefits of Scotland’s positive reputation before telling his countrymen that Scotland has a responsibility to the world.
“We have much to gain from our international reputation as a welcoming, creative and enterprising nation,” he said. “But we also have a responsibility to work with developing countries to help them share in the prosperity and opportunities that we can sometimes take for granted.”
The G8 presidency will focus attentions on international development, and Mr McConnell promised Scotland would support the “international movement to tackle poverty and ill health in the poorest places.”
And mirroring Tony Blair’s New Year comments on the Earthquake in Asia this week, Mr McConnell added: “And we have a duty to help others when they are overwhelmed by disaster.”
