Almost all Scots support smoking ban in play areas and school grounds – survey

Scots have backed a poll that seeks to extend smoke-free spaces to public outdoor areas such as play areas and school grounds.

Almost all (93%) of 1,061 Scots surveyed by smoking awareness organisation Ash Scotland said they support such measures.

Ash Scotland is now urging the Scottish Government to take action, in a bid to minimise the risk posed to children by second-hand smoking and to curb the visibility of cigarettes and other forms of nicotine.

The organisation looked at progress made on smoking being banned within 15 metres of NHS Scotland hospital buildings, and pondered how further restrictions can be put in place to reduce harm going forward.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of Ash Scotland, said: “Scotland’s UK-leading smoke-free public spaces legislation in 2006 was a major public health success, and was later extended to include vehicles with children present, and then a perimeter around NHS hospital buildings.

“Making children’s spaces smoke-free will help protect the youngest in society.

“With cigarettes still the biggest preventable killer of people in Scotland causing more than 7,000 deaths each year, it’s imperative that effective measures are taken to create healthy environments for children, free from these lethal products and enable us to build a healthier nation where everyone has the opportunity to grow up free from the harms caused by tobacco and exposure to toxic tobacco smoke.”

Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: “Time and time again, we see in polling that the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland want to see a smoking ban near schools and play areas.

“To hit the target of less than 5% of adults smoking by 2034, we need to stop normalising smoking around children and protect their still developing young lungs from breathing in harmful second-hand smoke.

“Along with Ash Scotland, we are urging the Scottish Government to extend smoke-free spaces, and ban smoking around schools, playgrounds and other locations used by children.”

Professor Sean Semple of the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health said: “Scotland has made remarkable progress in reducing the harm from second-hand tobacco smoke exposure.

“Smoke-free spaces do more than simply protect children from the direct harm of breathing second-hand smoke, they also reduce the visibility of smoking and help the next generation stay tobacco-free.

“This important report highlights how Scotland can take the next steps towards a smoke-free future.”

Public health minister Maree Todd said: “There has been significant reductions in smoking among adults since the introduction of smoke-free legislation in 2006, from 25% in 2006 to 14% in 2024.

“We recognise that the environments people live and learn in are critical to preventing harm and supporting a tobacco-free Scotland.

“We will consider consulting on further smoke-free spaces using the powers included in the new 2026 Tobacco and Vapes Act.

“We will take a balanced and evidence-led approach, ensuring action is proportionate to protect children and young people from second-hand smoke.”