Support for Scottish smoking ban

Health campaigners want public spaces to be smoke free

More than three-quarters of people questioned for a BBC poll want a ban on smoking in public places in Scotland.

The consultation for the Your NHS programme on BBC One surveyed views of more than 600 people on issues such as obesity, smoking and sexual health.

It also found strong support for a ban on sweet advertising, the issuing of free condoms to secondary school pupils and health warnings on alcohol.

The anti-smoking group, Ash, welcomed the findings on smoking in public.

In Scotland, 77% of those surveyed supported the idea of a ban, slightly higher than the UK average of 73%.

Alcohol warning

The results of the consultation will be revealed in the hour long BBC One special on Wednesday and will also be presented to the Department of Health.

On the subject of obesity, 84% of people in Scotland said that advertisements for fast food and sweets should be banned from television during children's viewing time and 75% said sweet machines should be banned from schools.

But half of those questioned did not think there should be an additional tax on high fat foods.

Scots were not so sure about a tax on fatty foods

In the arena of sexual health, more than two-thirds (70%) said condoms should be freely available on demand to all secondary school pupils.

Those surveyed were also asked whether patients whose medical condition can be linked to smoking, drinking or obesity should be given a lower priority for treatment.

More than a third (37%) answered yes to this, while 63% disagreed, however 70% said that bottles of alcohol should carry a government health warning.

Ian Willmore, Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "This poll shows that the public is demanding action to end smoking in the workplace and enclosed public places.

"This is the single most effective thing the government could do to cut smoking rates and protect smokers and non-smokers alike."

The International Obesity Task Force also welcomed the results.

The figures were compiled for the programme Your NHS: For Better or Worse, which will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland on Wednesday at 2100 GMT.