Stirling experts warn tobacco industry interference persists as Scotland celebrates 20 years since smoking ban

The tobacco industry is now targeting proposed legislation currently going through Westminster that will make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, according to a new foreword to a republished report that details industry interference.

The Unwelcome Guest: How Scotland invited the tobacco industry to smoke outside, first published by ASH Scotland in 2005, was also designed as a guide for campaigners and public health advocates in countries beginning their journey to smoke-free enclosed public environments.

Dr Rachel O’Donnell, Associate Professor at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH), said: “This report has important lessons for today – the UK is on the cusp of another huge, world-leading leap in tobacco control.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently passing through the Westminster parliament will mean those turning 18 at the beginning of 2027 will never be able to purchase tobacco, and there will be further powers to extend smoke-free spaces under devolved health legislation.

“These are bold measures that will help tackle the burden that tobacco still places on our communities, and yet we see many of the tobacco industry tactics described in our Unwelcome Guest report from 2005 being used again to limit the vision and scope of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill from the outset.”

Dr Rachel O'Donnell

Legislation at its best

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was last year backed by MPs in March, then endorsed by MSPs in May, and it is now going through the House of Lords.

Among the peers who will review the legislation is Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, who spearheaded Scotland’s pioneering smoking ban when he was First Minister.

Lord McConnell, who is also Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “The ban on indoor smoking in public places was the moment when the Scottish Parliament came of age.

“We saved lives, transformed Scotland’s hospitality culture, and we won public support despite the ferocious campaign against the ban. It was legislation and implementation at its best.”

2026 will mark the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s smoking ban, which prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, protecting people from harmful second-hand smoke.

It was one of the defining actions of the devolved Scottish Parliament era and the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK described it as the number one public health achievement in the first 20 years of the 21st century.

It helped protect a generation of Scots from the harms of second-hand tobacco smoke in most indoor settings including pubs, restaurants and public transport where smoking had been commonplace. It has been credited with helping reduce the number of people suffering heart attacks and exacerbations of asthma.

Great progress

Professor Sean Semple, of the University of Stirling’s ISHM, said: “The smoke-free legislation of 2006 changed how the nation perceived the acceptability of smoking in the same space as non-smokers. Scotland has made great progress, but we still have a long way to go in protecting our people from the harms of second-hand smoke.

“Recent data suggests that about one in five non-smoking adults breathe unwanted tobacco smoke on any given day. This report highlights the need for us to continue to provide more smoke-free spaces and guard against tobacco industry interference in us making that progress.”

Professor Sean Semple

The new foreword to The Unwelcome Guest is co-authored by Dr Rachel O’Donnell, Professor Sean Semple and Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland.

Sheila said: “This report spotlights corporate interference tactics that deepen social injustice. The tobacco and nicotine industry continues to generate huge profits by promoting addictive, health-harming products at great cost to the health of people in Scotland, especially those in our poorest communities.

“A key current lesson from ASH Scotland’s Unwelcome Guest report is that Scotland’s elected representatives and policymakers need to recognise and reject interference by the tobacco industry and its allies, which distorts consultation processes and can disrupt, delay and undermine the effective regulation of tobacco and recreational nicotine products.

“Politicians must act without delay and with integrity to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and implement effective measures to protect the health of children now and of future generations growing up in Scotland.”