Fears of spiked drinks under ban

Gillian Taylor, 37, from Livingston, is "angry" that bars are forcing smokers to leave their drink glasses unattended while they go outside for a cigarette.

The mother-of-three, whose drink was spiked last year, warned more women would become victims under the ban.

Anti-smoking campaigners welcomed the idea of plastic cups for smokers.

Mrs Taylor, an administrator from Ladywell in West Lothian, said she was outraged to see a sign outside some bars banning people from taking drinks outside after 2000 BST.

She said: "I think it is awful that people are being forced to leave their drinks with bouncers they don't know as well as on tables unattended.

"There will be an awful lot more women finding their drinks spiked unless pubs stop this.

"They need to issue smokers with plastic cups or lids for their drinks.

"I woke up in hospital after I was spiked with opiates last year and was ill for at least a week afterwards. I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Maureen Moore, chief executive of anti-smoking campaign group ASH Scotland, said: "It's certainly worth thinking about safety issues, maybe talking to the bar staff about what can be done.

"Most people go out for a drink with friends and one of the group minds the drinks while another goes out to smoke.

"Many Scots smokers are using the smoke-free law as motivation to smoke less or to quit altogether."

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