Smokers urged to kick the habit

Smokers will be encouraged to give up during No Smoking Day

Smokers in Scotland should use No Smoking Day to kick the habit, the health minister has said.

Andy Kerr said there had "never been a better time" to give up smoking, citing evidence of bans in Ireland and New York as helping people to do so.

Speaking ahead of Scotland's ban on 26 March, Mr Kerr, a former smoker, said it would improve the nation's health.

Anti-smoking campaign group Ash Scotland said 70% of smokers in the country wanted help to give up.

A smoke-free Scotland will have a healthier future Andy Kerr Health Minister Grasping the smoking thistle

The smoking ban is designed to protect people from the health risks of passive smoking and will create smoke-free environments in bars, restaurants and workplaces.

Mr Kerr said he knew how difficult it was to give up smoking, but he told smokers it was the right decision to make.

"Stopping smoking is not only good for the health of the individual but Scotland as a whole," he said.

"That's why we're investing record levels of funding - £11m by 2007-08 - in services to support people who want to give up.

Andy Kerr said the time was right for smokers to kick the habit

"Improved services in communities across Scotland, combined with the introduction of the ban, make 2006 the best year yet to give up.

"A smoke-free Scotland will have a healthier future - where Scots live longer, families stay together longer and our young people are fitter and better prepared to make the most of their ambitions."

The minister also commented on latest survey results which suggested the majority of Scotland's population were in favour of the smoking ban.

The survey figures from January found 61% of Scots support the ban on smoking in enclosed public places, although only 26% of smokers do.

One in seven of the smokers surveyed believed the new law would help them quit the habit.